Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Could be Coming to Rhode Island Ave, NE?!?!!

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by Prince Of Petworth April 22, 2016 at 10:25 am 40 Comments

alamo
via Alamo Drafthouse Cinema

Well this could be huge – Washington Business Journal reports:

“Austin, Texas-based Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is close to a deal to bring its brand of movie theater and full-service restaurant to a new development in the Edgewood neighborhood of Northeast D.C.”

Considering Alamo Drafthouse DC retweeted the story – I’d take that as a very good sign. Alamo’s website says:

“Cold beer, hot movies, and delicious snacks and meals; The Alamo Drafthouse is dinner, drinks, movies and events, all under one roof. Our attention to detail in film presentation and programming has made us a second home to movie fans all over the planet and earned accolades from the likes of Entertainment Weekly (#1 theater in America), Wired.com (Coolest Movie Theater in the World) and Fandango.com (One of the Best Theaters in the Country).”

Stay tuned!!!

map
via google maps

AnonV2

#holyfuckincrap!!!!!! Amazing if true.
CoHi

PLEASE BE TRUE! This Texantonian needs a piece of home sometimes.
- MS
  
  CoHi – Did you know there are Chuy’s in the DMV now!? That’s where I go for my slice of home, when I’m in need!
  - M
    
    There are Chuy’s in Fairfax and Springfield, VA
    - Bloomy
      
      Queso bar!!!
      - lemeow
        
        Meh. I lived in Austin for years and never understood the appeal of Chuy’s–Tex-Mex for white folks, which I am not. Also, Alamo Drafthouse got on my nerves. But to each his own.
      - Philippe Lecheval
        
        So how would you change Chuy’s to make it an acceptable place for nonwhites to dine?
  - CoHi
    
    YES! I have been known to Metro and then take an Uber to the Springfield location in a pinch! Their queso is liquid happiness. Just the right amount of spice, and their chips are actually good. I hate the tortilla chips in this town.
    - Houston transplant
      
      CoHi- what do you think about the chips at Cactus Cantina? As a Houston transplant, they always remind me of texture/salt-level of Pappasito’s chips so I ain’t complaining! Their queso is a lil thick for my liking though…
JohnH

This looks like my version of hell. To each his own I suppose….
- Trip Throckmorton
  
  +100
- MR
  
  I understand how it seems like the concept wouldn’t work, but it does. They are super strict about enforcing their no talking, no text policy. The food is delicious. Drinks are solid. And their programming line-up is better than any other theater in the country that I know of. Overall it’s just an awesome movie experience.
Abby

This would make me sooooooooo happy!
smn-dc

Can’t wait to see this area of R.I. Ave metro develop.
QuietObserver

front row, third from left in photo is diggin’ deep for a red vine.
- anon
  
  Haha, good eye! Please scroll back up and see what QuietObserver is referring to.
Annon.

Bye bye Forman Mills!!
- Timebomb
  
  As I understand it, Forman Mills and Big Lots are staying until their leases expire or they willingly give them up. MRP cautions the whole 7-phase project may not be done for 20 years(!) as a result: http://greatergreaterwashington.org/post/30133/a-new-bike-trail-could-connect-the-mbt-to-4th-street-northeast/
  .
  But 3 years/phase doesn’t seem that long, I guess. That’s enough time to maybe acquire the stubborn parcels that are currently cutting into the development.
CP

Previous articles had said the movie theater wouldn’t happen until Phase 2 …which would be in a decade or two!:( It would be amazing if the theater happened in 2018. Please please please..
- Timebomb
  
  Are you sure you aren’t confusion phase 2’s delivery with phase 7’s? See my comment above.
  - Timebomb
    
    *confusing
Anonbdale

Noooooo, not my big lots and sav a lot! (Serious, not sarcastic here)
anon

Whoo hooo! Great theater, great beer, and they take their no texting rule seriously!
MoldieOldie

worst idea EVER. good luck hearing the movie over shouting, avoiding fights, and other random (non-random but predictable) violence.
- CRT
  
  Yes, how could an idea that’s been successfully available in other cities for decades possibly work in DC?
  - Philippe Lecheval
    
    I take it you never went to a movie at Union Station.
    - anon
      
      I went to movies in Union Station. And other movies in Austin that were loud and interactive, so to speak. The difference is that Alamo Drafthouse enforces all of its no talking, no texting, etc policies vs. a place like the old Union Station theater where that was part of the experience and the management wouldn’t have those types of policies. You’re comparing apples and potatoes.
      - MoldieOldie
        
        No you didn’t. Be honest, you never went to a movie at Union Station. Also, Union Station movies were never anyway close to an ‘Austin’ ‘loud and interactive’ experience. You’re comparing organically grown potatoes to Virginia sourced pistols.
    - Ally
      
      The problem with union station were the kids under 18, who presumably wouldn’t be allowed in?
  - MoldieOldie
    
    My bad, you’re right. All ventures that work in one place MUST work/succeed in every other place. Because 1) theaters have great margins, 2) Rhode Island Ave. is a destination (I’m going there later tonight to get shot), 3) it’ll be 5-7 years before this place opens (just imagine the anticipation and lines), and 4) DC = Austin or elsewhere.
    - JoDa
      
      Wow…it’s really amazing that I’ve spent nearly 7 years living nearby here, passing through regularly by bus, foot, and car (in that order) and have yet to be shot! I must be missing the shootem up express! Please do us all a favor and stay in whatever suburban hole you inhabit. Feel free to whine about whatever you want FROM THERE.
      - MoldieOldie
        
        I guess all the victims of violence on and around Rhode Island Ave. weren’t just “passing through” on their way home to La La Land.
    - CRT
      
      1) Margins improve with food and alcohol
      2) Leave northwest once a year, your outlook on life will improve
      3) Now you’re just making up things to suit your agenda of ignorance
      4) I had a great time at a similar concept in Chicago almost 15 years ago. DC in 2016 (or, by your math, 2023) can’t handle what Chicago had in 2002?
- Josh
  
  Yes please!
  
  Going to the movies at one of these in San Antonio has totally ruined me for every other theater. I just can’t do it anymore.
  
  And to all of y’all that haven’t been to one – try one out before you go NIMBYing it, ok? There’s one in Loudon somewhere.
  - Eckingtonian
    
    I miss the Drafthouse dearly. I wish only that it were happening even sooner!
- MR
  
  Try it before you knock it. They are very strict at ensuring that every customer has a good experience, which means no talking, no texting, and certainly no “random violence.” If you ever have a problem with another moviegoer, it’s handled by staff immediately.
- Brochinski
  
  They have a strict no-talking/no-texting policy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L3eeC2lJZs
  - anon
    
    I LOVED when they did this video. It was awesome. I believe they used it as a trailer for a bit.
Tsar of Truxton

It looks like a frat party in a movie theater…
- Dan
  
  Except without any talking or texting.
  
  Get off my lawn, you darn frat guys and girls.

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