Cool News
The Alamo Drafthouse Is Opening In San Francisco!
Nordling here.
As more and more people become disenchanted with the theatrical experience, I've noticed more PSAs in front of movies at many theaters begging the audience to silence their cells, or no texting, or no talking while the movie is playing. They're all taking a page out of the Alamo Drafthouse's playbook, but unlike many of those other theater chains, the Drafthouse is serious in making the theatrical experience the very best experience it can possibly can. With beer, good food, brightly-lit screens (my own pet peeve is dimly lit screens at the multiplexes; I don't have the best vision to start with and going to a theater where everything looks like mud, especially in 3D, is extremely disconcerting to me), and especially a no tolerance policy for talking, texting, or using the phone, you can be assured that when you sit down in a Alamo Drafthouse theater, you're going to get the best possible experience. The movie may be bad, but the service you get won't be.
California has been clamoring for an Alamo Drafthouse for years now, and while Los Angeles isn't getting one (yet), San Francisco will be. Tim League is restoring the New Mission theater, and as he reports on his blog, it's something he's wanted to do for a long time:
San Francisco is my favorite city in the world. My parents met there, I was born in Berkeley, and my wife was working in the city before I begged her to come help me start my first theater venture in Bakersfield, CA. There is no accident that the first theater outside of Austin that my wife and I will own and operate is in San Francisco.
For people worried about the Alamo Drafthouse destroying a beloved city landmark, don't be. Tim restored the Ritz in Austin and it looks amazing. I just wish Tim had the opportunity to work on the Alabama theater here in Houston - it was a beautiful theater in its day. But for those in San Francisco, Tim League is taking great care in keeping theold theater in the best condition possible:
We are planning on a full and complete historic renovation. Even though our plan is to subdivide the balconies into small boutique theaters, we will be doing it in such a way as to preserve nearly all of the amazing architectural details of the space. We would still preserve the massive downstairs screen and transform that space into a potential premiere venue with state of the art sound and picture. We have been working hand-in-hand with the both historic and neighborhood groups to make sure that our restoration plans meet with their approval. The great news is that the theater interior is largely in good shape. A large percentage of the interior details have been preserved and even most of the light fixtures are intact.
You can follow the New Mission Alamo Drafthouse here on Facebook. For now, here's some pictures of the renovation so far:
Knowing Tim's sick mind, he might just keep Prehensile Weiner Man there on the wall. You can check out more pictures at their Facebook page here.
As far as the programming goes, you can expect the same awesomeness that they get in Austin, Houston, and many other places around the country. The Alamo Drafthouse is my favorite place in the whole world and I'm happy to support the Leagues and this theater. Enjoy it, San Francisco!
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a Quinn Martin Production
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Been by this place many times. COuld be wonderful
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there was a mention in the Waco paper a few years back saying the drafthouse was going to open in an empty movie theater in Waco/Bellmead.
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Please Tim there is a beautiful disused cinema in Santa Monica on Wilshire Blvd. It's called The Wilshire. Please convert that into a premiere Alamo!
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I'm gonna be there all the time.
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...is up for grabs and it's not in need of restoration. Just good programming. And beer.
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So there.
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The Alamo isn't "opening" a damn thing in SF. All they've done is announce a proposal. And unfortunately for them, the plan involves trying to build a set of condos in the Mission district (next door to the theater), and the buildings are owned by noted toxic douchebag Gus Murad. They'll need to somehow get approval for the whole mess from SF's byzantine city planning bureaucracy, including a waiver of the Mission's ban on new liquor licenses. Proposing building luxury condos in the middle of the Mission is going to bring out the NIMBYs in droves to begin with, and the fact that it's Murad who stands to profit from it means that they're already sharpening their knives. The _absolute_ best case scenario is that it'll be 2-3 years before anyone even gets to raise a shovel or hammer, and it's much more likely that a storm of lawsuits and demands for "environmental impact reports" will strangle the project in its infancy. Don't despair, L.A. and NYC: you'll probably get an Alamo long before SF does. :(
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Feb 16, 2012 8:08:41 PM CST
docmem- I don't know if the L.A. movie going crowds can keep their mouths shut and phones off for an entire movie.
by brannagins law
I've never seen a more respectable audience than those of the Austin Drafthouses! It was like a dream. The audiences here are very inconsiderate. After about 10 evictions in per movie their first week in business, the idiots here would most likely riot. And I don't think they could handle the alcohol either. I heard rumors it was gonna happen in LA, I'm guessing on the east side, but I'm very doubtful it would be appreciated at all or last long.
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About time. Come over here, Alamo Drafthouse, me love you long time! I will definitely be there opening night! (and the next night, and the next...)
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totally made out with this fat she-beast during one of those stupid ass quote along things they do. this place sucks. but it is the only place i can drink a beer and watch kids movies around kids who aren't mine and not feel weird...
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audiences in my (extensive) experience are generally respectful and quiet.
That's true at first-run houses in Hollywood (example: Arclight/Cinerama Dome) and Westwood (example: Landmark at Westside Pav.) and it's certainly true at all the amazing revival houses like Aero, New Bev, Nuart, etc.
An Alamo in L.A. would be cool, but honestly not sure it's needed. -
A few questions for you: are the theater and the condos part and parcel? Meaning, is the theater plan locked into the condo plan? Or are they separate deals? Because I think the neighborhood would welcome the new theater with open arms. (maybe they'd take the condos just to get the theater?)
And the liquor license: they can't get a hard alcohol license, but they can still get one for beer and wine, right? (That would be enough to get me there!)
I hope you're wrong with your predictions, (even though I realize that you're probably not!) but I will remain hopeful and optimistic that it does go through smoothly. (fingers crossed!) -
I could not agree more.
While I think the Alamo model has it's place, it also has drawbacks.
I have never encountered the type of "inconsiderate" crowds that some posts allude to.
I do not doubt they exist, but if it was truly as bad as it is purported to be, then most people would simply stay home.
I think Alamo fills a niche for a segment of cinephile - and that is fine.
That does not make it better or worse. -
Feb 16, 2012 8:44:24 PM CST
L.A. does have some great theaters that cater to movie watchers
by zardoz
The Arclight is fantastic! SF has the Kabuki Sundance now, too. Both are similar to Alamo in high quality presentation, with alcohol, restaurant food, etc. Both of those are not cheap, though. You could be looking at $18 or more per ticket! (A beer and a burger will cost you another $20) I don't know what the Alamo charges but if they enforce the no cell phone policy, I will pay whatever they ask!
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YES YES YES! I just got done masturbating a little over a half an hour ago and I'm about to shoot my load over this great news as well. Believe you me, one of the reasons I contemplated moving to Austin Texas was the fact that the Alamo Drafthouse was there. Dear lords this will be a treat.
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And zardoz, the Drafthouse actually has pretty reasonable prices, especially if you have a student ID. Costs less than going to a Cinemark or AMC. And they have great beer specials!
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Feb 16, 2012 9:23:01 PM CST
beautiful building but who the hell thought those mirrors were a good idea?
by rkdn
I can't envision ANY time period where those would have looked good.
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OH MY GOD YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
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And personally, at a convenient location too! :D
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AFAIK there's no way to separate the two. Murad owns both properties, and he's not gonna do one without the other. He's basically a slumlord, and he's been quite happy to let the New Mission theater rot for years until he could get his dream plan together.
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Feb 16, 2012 10:18:14 PM CST
Christ we need these up NORTH! Do you hear me? We're indoors a ton up here!
by alienfanatic
Lord, just come up the coast a thousand miles and we'd fill your theaters to the rafters.
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etc etc
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Expect a good portion of my money.
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Feb 16, 2012 10:59:38 PM CST
Please...this is news? Austin's been trying to be just as shitty as San Francisco for DECADES!
by remcycle
As far as I'm concerned, the Drafthouse has been in San Francisco (just without the water) for quite a long time...
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I'd eat the $5.75 train fare (both ways) to see a movie in blessed peace and quiet.
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The last thing LA needs is a bunch of douchebags telling the rest of the theater-going public just how much fucking better they are. The Drafthouse is a shit-choking-hipster mecca...not sure LA needs one of those.
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Hey, I can dream, can't I?
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..and move from South Mississippi to Austin. There were many reasons for the move, but I'd be lying if I said the Drafthouse wasn't #1 or #2.
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Presido Draft House, sounds a little better. Lone star stuff usually doesn't take real well in the bay area.
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Tons of graffiti, yet it appears the mirrors are intact.
SF has some truly unique vandals. Kudos.
Would love to see the condition of the projection booth. -
Feb 17, 2012 1:13:38 AM CST
I second an Alamo Drafthouse in the NYC area. And I nominate a place...
by daytripper69
... The Landmark Loews in Jersey City.
It's a beautiful movie palace from the 1920s. Restoration is taking place, but mainly through volunteers, so the restoration process is at a snail's pace, unfortunately. Once in a while the theater would show old movies, and attendence is generally strong, but I know the place can be so much better. (Better sound system, better seating, etc.) Under the right management, I think this place would make money hand over fist.
Please look into it!
http://loewsjersey.org/ -
The Parkway Speakeasy Theater in Oakland was the same general Philosophy as the Alamo Drafthouse. Beer,couches, Pizza, and good (if not often first run) movies. The Parkway shut down which was a shame. Hopefully Alamo Drafthouse will fare better.
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Tentacle Penis in the last picture protects the mirrors. One quiet nights you can hear his tentacle shwanz lovingly bathing the mirrors with his protection.
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Feb 17, 2012 8:46:06 AM CST
Come and get it in the yarbles, if ya have any yarbles!
by doctor_strangepork
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Feb 17, 2012 9:09:21 AM CST
Converting balcony into 2 screens is NOT restoration!
by thee miracleman
Can't believe someone who has done as much good as Tim would do that! Those screens will be no better than watching a movie at your house on a projection screen.
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Feb 17, 2012 9:13:40 AM CST
I guess I'm just fuckin tip-toein thru the tulips of life having never had a cell phone call or dark 3D presentation or anything.
by ultratron
Back in the day there was all kinda shit but I haven't seen a bad presentation in at least 15 years or so. You guys need to move out of whatever shithole area you live in with scumbags on phones.
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...they can always restore the Alexandria. It's a little small, but I dug it the couple of times I went there. If they're a success maybe they'll resurrect it next.
San Francisco is full of fabulous, old, out-of-business theaters. I wish the Alamo crew could have saved the Coronet from the Institute on Aging. Lots of fond memories there: saw Two Towers, ROTK, first Harry Potter, and ran into Robin Williams once.
I like some of the things that the new management brought to the Sundance Kabuki, but I think an Alamo Drafthouse would be a fun contrast to them. Here's hoping the city gov't. doesn't get in the way. -
Feb 17, 2012 10:54:32 AM CST
We have two theaters in Sacramento that need to be baught out and replaced with an Alamo!
by tikidonkeypunch
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do we need to franchise Alamo? I mean can't it just be called the New Mission theater and have all the same amenities and sensibilities of Alamo Drafthouse?... Just asking
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..oh, nevermind.
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I no longer live in the Bay Area so all I can say is "crud."
They are going to have a great time.
People in the Bay Area see lots of movies. It's the only place we've lived where we always had to buy tickets in advance, not just the day a movie opened.
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