The newly renovated Quad Cinema in Greenwich Village is gorgeous. I went the other weekend and luxuriated in the chic lighting, spacious lobby, efficient service and cozy attached bar with plentiful wine options. Then, it was time to head into the theater. I soon found my seat, shuffled to the middle of the row and did what I always do: uncomfortably piled my sopping-wet parka on my lap and held the bulky coat for two hours like a dumb fat baby. Experience ruined.
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Read my lips: Every movie theater needs a coat check. Having to sit under a plush Patagonia while watching a film makes me feel like I’m on the lam from law enforcement, carrying all my possessions on my person. It’s not the state of mind I want to be in while watching Mary Poppins Returns.
But movie theaters have never had a coat check, you say. Yeah, I know! Movie theaters didn’t used to have a lot of things. Going to CMX CinéBistro on the Upper East Side now feels as though you’re flying first class to nowhere: There are reclining seats, a full bar and even cinema “flight attendants” who will bring you a steak. Pardon me, but it just seems that if I can order a filet during a matinee of Bumblebee, I should at least have the option to drop off my coat in the lobby first.
