If you’ve never been to an Alamo Drafthouse location, here’s the gist: The theater screens first-run flicks along with repertory picks (for example, Graveyard Picks, with deep-cut horror films, and Wild Things, with all sorts of dusted-off oddities) all within plush cinemas with in-theater food and drink service (including booze) and a hardline no talking, no texting policy.
Movie theater snacks are great, but being able to order a full meal (plus alcohol!) certainly sweetens the deal. The dine-in movie theater concept has become the crème de la crème of movie-watching experiences, with servers at your beck and call so you don’t have to miss a scene. (The cushy reclining seats don’t hurt either.)
As the film capital of the world, Los Angeles isn’t hurting for places to catch a movie—there are plenty of traditional theaters and outdoor movie options—but for a premium experience, dine-in movie theaters are the way to go. Make no mistake: This will be a spendy night out, with all of the picks on this listing starting around $20 for a ticket—and that’s, of course, before you add in dinner, drinks and tip.
You get what you pay for, though. Dine-in theaters tend to be tidier (no more sticky floors!), and there are fewer people crammed into the auditorium and roaming the aisles (aside from your sever, of course). Don’t fret about missing your favorite movie theater snacks like Milk Duds, Twizzlers and overly buttery popcorn—those are all still available. The hard part will be trying to stay awake in the darkness of the theater, with a full belly, while fully reclined to a prone position. Luckily an action-packed thriller or endearing romantic comedy on the big screen will help keep you engaged.
Next time you’re planning dinner out, enjoy it with a blockbuster film at one of L.A.’s best dine-in theater spots.
