This is kind of off topic but it fits enough. I've always had questions/concerns about some of the "fancier" type theaters. I'm sure I will gain some insight here shortly.

Bottom line: I'm there to watch a movie. I'm not there to drink. I'm not there to eat. If I want to go drink, I'll go to a bar. If I want to go eat, I'll go to a restaurant. Priority number one is watching the movie. I usually only see a movie once in the theater and it's usually the first time I'm seeing it and I only get to see a movie for the first time once and I want an enjoyable experience.

There is a theater here in Oklahoma called The Warren and they have a balcony where you can sit in more comfortable seats and eat and drink for a premium. My objection isn't the comfortable seating, I might pay a little extra on a special occasion for better seats in a better spot.

My problem is the people that come to eat and drink. I don't want to sit near someone who is scraping a knife and fork across a plate and constantly getting refills and talking to the waiter/waitress. I also don't want to have to listen to someone getting shitfaced, I'm there to watch a movie.

I have never done the balcony thing at The Warren because of my concerns and the fact that it costs more and I think tickets are already a little too high (I go to less movies now than I used to).

So experiences? Anyone else have the same concerns? Can someone (Supermallet?) help quell my fears?

I'm not a fan of "meals" or alcohol in theaters either. Anything beyond popcorn or Raisinets and a soda is a little much. If you're eating enough that you have to take your eyes of the screen to do so, that's too much food.

Also, the type of movie always dictates to me if I'm buying popcorn or not. THE AVENGERS? That's a "popcorn" flick. LINCOLN? I'm not buying any concessions. Am I the only one like this?

I haven't been to a theater where they bring restaurant quality food to your seat. My theater used to offer food from our lounge, but it came in to go boxes and that was all food you'd eat with your hands anyway (burgers, pizza, etc). I assume that it would be distracting if someone were eating food with a knife and fork. Then again, popcorn is distracting, so maybe it's not too much worse than that.

I would even go further and advocate "recyclable cloth bags for popcorn" for no bag noise. And sometimes those exit lights bleed onto the screen itself, although yeah they're necessary.

I go to the Warren almost exclusively now, especially when I'm visiting family back in Moore. This is where I do all my big midnight premieres due to the reserved seating.

What you're describing are valid concerns, but I've never been bothered much by it. The balcony is 21+ and it seats a relatively small number of people and they're well spaced due to the size of the chairs. I think you'd be surprised how little your concerns actually manifest into problems. It's certainly better than being in the big house with teenagers or children (speaking as a father of two that have been raised with proper theater etiquette).

Also, I drink more than my fair share up in the balcony

I say you should at least try it before you worry about hating it. Maybe even check into their Director's Suite up there. Sometime, just walk up there and explore.

I can't wait for the Broken Arrow Warren to open later this year or early next!

Why So Blu, here's the theater I was talking about: http://dinein.amctheatres.com/Locations/Marina6

For me it depends on the movie, kind of like what Shannon was saying. If it's a movie where I need to hear every line of dialog and can't miss a beat, then sure the food and waiters might be an annoyance. For other movies, I don't mind at all. And in some cases, its even more fun to drink and watch movies at the same time

I too, was surprised that all of the stuff doesn't affect my enjoyment of a movie that much at all when I started going to theaters that serve food and alcohol. Of course, I also rarely sit quietly watching a movie at home either, as i'm often eating or doing something else as well. However if the slightest popcorn bag shifting is an annoyance, then yeah it could be a problem.

Cool thanks. I think I may try it for something that I'm not completely invested in seeing.

What Shannon Nutt said makes complete sense about the type of movie but I have to devote my full attention to a movie the first time I'm seeing it.

I've done the balcony thing. Reserved seating is great! The heated seats are great in the Winter. The clanking of utensils isn't.

Our first and only trip to the balcony was a disaster. We had middle seats thinking no one would pass by us. Wrong! The shortest path to a customer was walking past us instead of walking around the back and down the aisle closer to the customer!

It is very distracting to have wait staff walking around through out the movie. And towards the end of the movie when the most important stuff is happening story wise is the time they decide to collect your money.

Love reserved seating. The theater I frequent most (Muvico in Rosemont) started doing it for 3D showings first and then recently switched for all showings. I've never had a problem with the audience here, so that take a little edge off the issue of ending up with a bad "neighbor". Also, its already one of the more spacious seating theaters in the Chicago area anyway.

Price-wise, its cheaper than the AMC in the area AND has free parking - no downside. (And 4K digital in every auditorium)

That's pretty cool. I'll definitely have to give them a spin when I'm over on the Westside.


I have one of these literally 1 mile from the house. They're the best, but they're expensive. An L.A. location is opening up this summer.

http://www.ipictheaters.com/

The reason I would be against reserved seating is the very reason some in this thread have mentioned it as being for it:

People showing up as the movie is starting, knowing that their seats are reserved.

If I can't get to a theater at least 20 minutes before showtime, then I don't go.

^ That rarely happens and if someone is in your seat you tell them that they're in your seat. On the off chance they don't want to move there is a staff member that will make them move. Reserved seating theaters usually have lots of monitors just in case shit happens. And this is L.A., so take that as you will. The great thing about reserved seating is that ghetto folks stay away.

Do you know where? I should apply for a management position.

Reserved seating would suck.

This is the fancy place I like - http://www.cinepolisusa.com/Home/Cinemas

Oh, you know what? Yep, on second thought, this convinced me.

The thing is this is a major chain (it's AMC), But they had done things not typical for major theater chains...they took out all the stadium seats, and put in leather recliners

Yeah, the one Supermallet was talking about is an AMC but it was re-branded as "Cinema Suites." They're also 21 and over. That's pretty fucking badass. That would most definitely weed out the scumbags.

Love reserve seating. When I lived in Japan, most theaters were like this and no problems with someone in your seat.
Saw a few movies at the El Cap in LA when I lived there and it worked out great also.
I don't mind paying a bit more for a seat I know will be there and a bit more comfort.

It's pretty much the only way I see movies now, unless the movie isn't playing at the theater in question (Cinemark Palace in Boca Raton, FL)

Bump!!
I saw this topic come up elsewhere, so I thought I'd resurrect this thread to see how people feel about it these days.

So... how do DVDTalkers feel about reserved seating in the current year of 2016?