Doesn't an ice cold pint of Sam Adams Lager accompanied by a flavorful buffalo chicken flatbread pizzette sound delish? Or perhaps a blue max burger topped with bib lettuce and blue cheese crumbles or a large plate of creamy chicken Alfredo with fresh bruschetta? Mmmm, my tummy's rumbling just thinking about all my options! No, I'm not talking about the menu at the new brewery down the street. I'm talking about the menu at one of AMC's dine-in theaters.
Yup, boutique movie theaters with full menus are popping up all across the country. The concept? To help give moviegoers the ultimate experience, from appetizer to dessert.
Does it sound cool? For sure! I love me a frosty beer at the end of a long day. But I'm gonna be honest with you: While I enjoy fantasizing about drinking a beer with Matthew McConaughey or Channing Tatum, I'm not so sure I'd want to drink one while watching them. I think dining in actually takes away from the whole experience, don't you?
Since the beginning of time when movie theaters first surfaced, it's always been a popcorn, candy, and soft drink dominated atmosphere. When I think of going to a movie, I dream of the buttery, salty popcorn. You know, the type that any Weight Watcher dreams of and pretends that the actual caloric impact of a kiddie size is the same as the kind you slip in the microwave at home. FYI: It's A LOT worse. But not as bad as some of the other options on the dine-in menu.
From angel food cake and a chocolate brownie sundae to prime rib griller made with shaved prime rib on an artisan roll, the calories are everywhere. As it is, a movie is already the ultimate time for mindless eating. Your mind isn't on the food, it's on the screen. So why add insult to injury by scarfing down a gourmet option when you could actually enjoy it afterward? AND -- if for some reason you are focusing on the food instead of the screen, you'll regret it! I don't care how impressive the meal is -- if I were to miss a major plot point or my chance to see one of my favorite celebrity hunks in the buff, I'd be bummed!
Not to mention, with the cost of movie tickets and theater food what it is these days, I'd rather eat my meal somewhere else. Yes, I love the idea of dinner and a movie. But I'll keep them separate for now.
What do you think of dine-in movie theaters?
Image via naydeeyah/Flickr
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Comments 26
We don't have a dine-in AMC theatre in my city. There is one in a nearby city, but ours is the normal theatre that serves snacks. It has recently started serving small pizzas, and chicken strip/french fry baskets. The food is so OVERLY priced, though. I don't see how anyone can afford the already $10.00 movie ticket, plus spend $13.00 for a nacho and large drink combo. (That's really how much it cost.) I could eat an entire entree plus desert at Chili's for $13.00. It's ridiculous!
with the disgusting diners i've come across in lighted restaurants... i shudder to think what will go on in a dark theater. i'd imagine my shoes getting stuck to the floor much more readily
We have a few options for dinner and a movie in my town and I'll be honest, I love it! It's perfect for when you really don't feel like paying the babysitter the extra money to have dinner also or maybe just don't have the time to do them separately. and never once in my MANY movies enjoyed there have I missed out on the plot line because of my food.
I love our movie houses that have the options of dinners and drinks at them. They are very very nice, clean, comfy and nice places. Several of them have actual dinners at the theater that you can eat in before/after your movie or take it to go to your movie. They don't have tables in the regular theaters though. A couple have adult only theaters (over 21) with menus, servers, amazingly comfortable oversized chairs and love seats that have heated seats. They also have removable tables for your meal. Most people come to their movie early (with lights on) to enjoy a meal in this theater. the food is tasty, the drinks are great and the deserts yummy. The servers are very carfeful not to block the veiw when they come to the seats as well. Sure it's a pretty price but so worth it for a comfy seated, quiet area to eat in and not having to go anywhere for the movie.
We have a Movie Tavern in my area & it is an awesome experience! It is very expensive though, so we just go when we're really treating ourselves.
we have a studio movie grill here and sure it has some kinks it needs to work out (not with the food) but with the drunk patrons bc there is a bar in the waiting area ..but for me and my husnband it works out great ...we use the parents night out program at our local ymca so we only have form 6 untill 10 to go out to dinner and amovie and counhting in the drive and such this makes it able for us to do both not one or the other