Why So Blu?

Fuck.Yes.

http://laist.com/2013/04/10/alamo_dr...planning_d.php


A little piece of Texas could be making its way to downtown's historic core. Texas' Alamo Drafthouse Cinema—famous for serving delicious beer and food, screening awesome movie and shaming jerks—has been expanding nationally.

There were rumors that the company would be opening a movie theater in Los Angeles, but now we have something a little bit firmer. The Downtown News is reporting that there's a plan to bring the theater to 4th and Main streets in the city's historic core. (h/t Curbed LA) (Gentrification giveth and gentrification taketh away: the Electric Dusk Drive-In was recently booted from its location just a few blocks away at 4th and Broadway).

The developer said the Texas-based Alamo Drafthouse chain has signed a letter of intent to open an 8-screen theater and is expected to sign a lease this month. The new location would be 30,000 square-foot and a single-story. There are plans for the theater to have a rooftop garden. If it all works out, the theater could be up and running in a year and a half.

The chain already has theaters in Missouri, Colorado, Virginia and another is set to open in San Francisco. There's been talk of one opening up in New York, as well.

A couple years ago when there was talk of the Alamo Drafthouse coming to downtown, James Kirst, the executive director of the nearby Downtown Independent, gave the rumors a positive spin, telling Indiewire, "We're basically the last theater left on Main Street. There's definitely room for a resurgence." He added, "I think having the Drafthouse in the mix would be a really great thing, whether they're across the street or across town. Having another theater entity in town would make the moviegoing experience in L.A. much richer."

Why So Blu?

Mods, can we change that A for an O. Thx. I was so excited that I misspelled Alamo.

Giles

the Virginia location's opening day is actually next month (May 3rd)

islandclaws

I'll start looking for parking now. Great idea, not so great location.

The Valeyard

Fuck yes!

lamphorn

Mixed. Love that Alamo Drafthouse will come to L.A. Problem is I'll probably never go because I avoid downtown L.A. like the plague. It's an awful area. It's not like NY or Chicago where there's a thriving wonderful downtown nightlife. Downtown L.A. is reminiscent of bombed-out Detroit at night. Everything but a few trendy bars shuts down and the homeless wander like zombies. Couldn't pay me to drive out there and look for parking. They should've stuck it in West Hollywood or Studio City.

mndtrp

Denver recently started one up, too, but I haven't been there yet.

bluetoast

Damn, did not know Northern Virginia is getting one. Though the location is really not in the realm of what most people consider Northern Virginia, I'm glad it's at least somewhat close.

Giles

"somewhat" being the operative word. AD on their facebook page is exclaiming the metro DC area - so, eh? ... okay I'll buy it.

Why So Blu?

It's totally great parking for me. I'm on 3rd and Grand. Boom!

TomOpus

Sounds like KillerCannibal will be using your place as basecamp when he goes to AD

Why So Blu?

lol, that's where our base camp is for Game of Thrones every week. Grub and ales galore!

GoldenJCJ

The best thing about this thread is that I found out there's one in Denver. It's only about 20 minutes from my house too! I haven't been there yet but with Summer movie season coming up I'll definitely give it a shot to avoid all the little punks texting throughout the big blockbusters.

Mabuse

If this was 10 years ago I'd agree with you, but Downtown is much improved in the last few years.

Why So Blu?

Big time. DTLA is the happening place to be nowadays.

hanshotfirst1138

Either way, it's still between 1,800 2,500 miles from me . Cool that they're expanding though, kudos to almost anybody who shows beyond the usual multiplex fair, it's becoming rarer and rarer these days.

Supermallet

DTLA is on the upswing, although there are still plenty of bad areas. But with the Expo Line expanding, it's easier to get there without driving. I will definitely hit up the Drafthouse using the Expo Line, especially since I will be able to drink and not worry about driving home.