Remember the Alamo!
Three tips for Drafthouse virgins as Dallas wins a coveted Alamo
Alamo Drafthouse has revealed plans to expand into the Dallas-Fort Worth area, with the first location opening in Richardson Heights Shopping Center at the Southwest corner of central Expressway and Belt Line Road.
Each of the theater's seven screens will be equipped with fully digital projectors, a slightly disappointing, but understandablee step into the future. Without 35mm projectors, though, will Richardson guests miss out on viewing pristine prints of certain classics? For their sake, I hope not.
In addition to the top notch AV equipment, Alamo also plans for a screening room layout that, “...will eliminate the traditional front row, ensuring every seat in the house allows for a great viewing experience.” A curious decision, and until further details are released, difficult to speculate on how significantly it will effect the theater experience.
The new theater will be franchised by Iced Tea With Lemon LLC, which will be handling all future Drafthouse locations opening in the DFW area, a group that has prominent ties throughout the area and should ensure the continued success of Alamo Drafthouse in the metroplex.
As a courtesy to our in-state, northern neighbors; a few tips for the Drafthouse virgins:
Get there early
Not just to secure a prime seat — although, this theater's seven screens will eliminate the mostly-dreaded first row, improving the viewing experience of every other seat — but because Alamo is renowned for its pre-show entertainment. The creative staff digs deep for rare gems and hilarious oddities, often themed around the feature film, that loop before said film. Sit down with a beer and witness how much work Drafthouse puts into crafting a unique theater experience.
Don't talk. Don't text. Don't even take your phone out to check the time.
Most people have become acquainted with Alamo's strict, but fair, no-disruption policy, but what most people don''t know is that the patrons are often just as adamant about enforcing the theater's policy. So think twice about checking that notification, it might just cause someone to raise a card.
Last Call
This one might be a personal annoyance, but I'm still going to point it out. Alamo implements a “last call,” where they bring out your check when the movie has 45 minutes left in its run time. After your bill has been settled, the receipt will be brought out, usually before the movie ends. At this point, do not reach for the tray.
I've noticed that a lot of people will sign their receipt or collect their change immediately, while the movie is still running. This is not only unnecessary, but can be quite distracting, as the theater is still showtime dark. Instead, wait for the movie to end and the lights to come up. There you will have plenty of time and light too square your tab.
Other than that, let's congratulate our northern friends on landing an Alamo. It certainly helped changed the way Austin views film, and with any luck, DFW will be next.
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The Richardson location joins Alamo's expansion into New York and San Francisco. No construction date has been set, as of yet.