If you’ve read Cinapse, you’re aware of our good fortune that many of our contributors are based in Austin, a city where the Alamo Drafthouse began its mission to improve the cinema-going experience. If film is our religion, the Alamo is our church. After a number of openings around the country, its latest returns to home-turf with the sixth theater in our fair city. This theater is the first on the East side of town, planted in the Mueller district, one that reflects its neighborhood surroundings by putting an emphasis on family-friendly features, while maintaining the Alamo traditions we know and love.
We were able to take a tour of the new location, and it is certainly one of the most playful locations so far. Read on for insights from the tour, press release, as well as pictures.
Alamo Drafthouse Mueller features six auditoriums that range in size from 45 seats to 140 seats, with combined seating for 609 moviegoers. All utilize Song 4K digital, and two also are RealD 3D capable. Sadly, no 35mm systems are in place, but apparently there is an option to add them at a later date. Also, electric recliners! The front row fully reclines too in case you’re into that sort of thing. Those personal tables are fixed in position; the lack of adjustability may irk some, but they get the job done.
From the lobby, access to the auditorium is via a staircase adorned with old film reels or an elevator. The upper floors features the 6 theaters, unisex restrooms with a communal sink, and an outdoor patio/balcony area which will soon be furnished.
Film nerds prepare to geek out – adorning the walls of the upper tier is some custom made wallpaper showing a disassembled 35mm projector. I need this in my place STAT.
There are also three wall sections dedicated to different move posters. The first is the ‘Drafthouse Recommends’ series, the second showcases Mondo pieces, while the third has some original masterpieces from classic films, notably the Samurai and Western genre. Finally, as well as a ‘Greetings from Alamo Drafthouse’ postcard installation, there is a recreation of the Devil’s Tower scene from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, both perfect for a photo op.
Inside Alamo Drafthouse Mueller is another destination all its own: Barrel O’ Fun. By day it’s a family-friendly hall with a vintage boardwalk feel, complete with functioning carnival games. When the sun goes down, however, the “R-E-L” on the sign fritzes out and the space transforms into the “Bar O’ Fun.” The carnival games fold into the ceiling to reveal a curated selection of fine spirits and craft beers, with an emphasis on barrel-aged offerings (naturally) and craft cocktails.
Barrel O’ Fun bar Manager Ryan Hollowell comes to Alamo Drafthouse with deep cocktail and draft beer experience, most recently as the opening bar manager for Lonesome Dove western bistro in Austin.
During happy hour and most weekday evenings, Barrel O’ Fun will feature a schedule of entertainment that will include DJ sets, live bands, Geeks Who Drink trivia, and more. Most live music shows in the space will be all-ages. Families and kids will also enjoy a selection of special events with hands-on creative activities during early evening and weekends.
The theater will offer its own unique twist on the Alamo Drafthouse’s food and drink menu, with new items like the “Chilaquiles” and the “Grilled Jerk Chicken Sandwich” mingling with many longtime Alamo Drafthouse menu favorites like the “Brussels Sprouts, Smoked Bacon and Goat Cheese Pizza.”
Drafthouse alludes to an inherent part of the Alamo’s remit, and they certainly deliver. The Barrel O’Fun has a tap wall with 45 different beers available. In keeping with the bar’s inspiration, there is also a barrel-aged cocktail program, as well as food and drinks that utilize similar ingredients to tie things together.
Living roughly 5 minutes away, you know I’ll be a regular. The first screenings take place in a ‘soft open’ weekend for Victory members on March 3rd/4th. The theater officially opens to the public on March 9th.
Remember…no talking or texting y’all!
Alamo Drafthouse Mueller
Facebook: facebook.com/AlamoAustin
Twitter: twitter.com/drafthouse
Website: drafthouse.com/austin/theater/mueller
Barrel O’ Fun
Facebook: facebook.com/barrelofunatx
Twitter: twitter.com/barrelofunatx
Website: barrelofunatx.com
About Alamo Drafthouse
Tim and Karrie League founded Alamo Drafthouse Cinema in 1997 as a single-screen mom and pop repertory theater in Austin. Twenty years later, the now 26-location chain has been named “the best theater in America” by Entertainment Weekly and “the best theater in the world” by Wired. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has built a reputation as a movie lover’s oasis not only by combining food and drink service with the movie-going experience, but also introducing unique programming and high-profile, star studded special events. Alamo Drafthouse Founder & CEO, Tim League, created Fantastic Fest, a world renowned film festival dubbed “The Geek Telluride” by Variety. Fantastic Fest showcases eight days of genre cinema from independents, international filmmakers and major Hollywood studios. The Alamo Drafthouse’s collectible art gallery, Mondo, offers breathtaking, original products featuring designs from world-famous artists based on licenses for popular TV and Movie properties including Star Wars, Star Trek & Universal Monsters. The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is expanding its brand in new and exciting ways, including a film distribution company, founded in 2010, which has already garnered three Academy Award nominations and Birth.Movies.Death., an entertainment content platform for movie lovers.