Alamo Drafthouse is coming to Arizona, and the desert-dwelling movie, scifi, and beer geeks rejoiced!
The Drafthouse is still under construction, but here are some artist’s renderings of what the finished building may look like (located at the corner of Chandler Blvd and Arizona Ave):
(yes, those are Jedi, and Stormtroopers and Yoda at the Grand Opening photo)
And here’s the press release:
ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE ANNOUNCES FIRST EVER ARIZONA LOCATION WITH FRANCHISE PARTNER PASCHICH ALAMO HOLDINGS LLC AND DEVELOPER VINTAGE PARTNERS
Chandler, AZ— Tuesday, December 23, 2014 — Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is pleased to unveil its plans to open its first Arizona location in Chandler with franchise partner Paschich Alamo Holdings LLC. Alamo Drafthouse Chandler, an eight-screen theater, bar, and restaurant, will be located at the upcoming mixed-use Downtown Chandler Development from developer Vintage Partners.
Alamo Drafthouse is also excited to announce that Craig Paschich, who has been with the company for nine years and served as President of Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas for the past three, is moving into a new role as a Partner at Paschich Alamo Holdings LLC, which will be based in Arizona. Alamo Drafthouse Chandler will be the first site under the Paschich Alamo Holdings LLC’s ownership. Paschich and his wife Kim are excited about basing the company in Arizona and are relocating their family to Chandler to be involved in all aspects of the business.
“I am so excited about the downtown Chandler location,” says Paschich. “For months, I’ve been looking for the perfect site for our first venue in Arizona and finally found it in Chandler. After visiting the local restaurants and shops, I immediately fell in love with the area. With the energy invested in downtown Chandler by the City and the area’s already impressive growth, we couldn’t ask for a better opportunity. The City of Chandler has been great to work with, along with the groups at Vintage Partners, Southwest Retail Group and RSP Architects. We’re truly excited to bring the first cinema eatery to downtown Chandler and adding to the area’s vibrant restaurant and retail landscape.”
Alamo Drafthouse Chandler will feature eight screens of new releases, classic movies and the Alamo’s unique signature programming, with seating for 825 moviegoers. Each of the auditoriums will be equipped with high-tech 100 percent digital projection, as well as excellent screen size-to-room ratio, and amazing sound. In addition to the superior AV equipment, the layout of each auditorium will eliminate the traditional front row, ensuring every seat in the house allows for a great viewing experience. The theater is expected to open in 2015.
Alamo Drafthouse combines dinner, drinks, films and events, all under one roof. The theaters have been heralded for their unique programming events and high exhibition standards, earning accolades like “Best Theater Ever” (Time Magazine) and “the coolest theater in the world” (Wired).
Alamo Drafthouse provides a unique combination of theater and restaurant, showing first-run movies, independent films and special events with an extensive menu made from scratch. Guests order all food and drinks from servers who quietly attend to them throughout the movie. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy the pre-show entertainment. Instead of a barrage of advertising, the Alamo shows a curated collection of rare and humorous clips.
Additionally, Alamo Drafthouse protects the theatrical experience with a zero tolerance policy for people who disrupt the film with talking or texting. Alamo Drafthouse was featured on global news for a viral “Don’t Talk” PSA that used a humorously misguided voicemail from an actual patron who was ejected for texting during the film. The full story on the long tradition of Alamo’s no talking/texting policy can be found here.
Finally, movie fans in Metropolitan Phoenix can experience the same features and entertainment comforts that so many others around the country have enjoyed. Hopefully this means that some of the Fantastic Fest offerings could be screened here as well.
You can also follow along with construction developments and grand opening plans online:
Facebook: https://facebook.com/pages/Alamo-Drafthouse-Phoenix/1492032151078056
Twitter: @AlamoPhoenix
Alamo Phoenix / Chandler: https://drafthouse.com/phoenix/chandler
Sounds very similar to Roadhouse Cinemas which just opened this year in Tucson, saw the third Hobbit movie there with the family last week, and it was amazing. Great dinner, and a great movie.
I can’t wait until Alamo opens here. I just hope something awesome is playing when it does!