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Thread: Anyone ever been to an iPic movie theater?

  1. #1
    Highly Evolved Orangutan JKL2000's Avatar
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    Anyone ever been to an iPic movie theater?

    We have one opening right near us, and I have a couple of questions. I really have no desire to have someone serving me food and drinks while watching a movie, it just seems distracting, even if it's going on around me. Do they also have regular seats where people aren't being served food and drinks? The seats also look kind of uncomfortable because it looks like there are little tables attached to the seats. Do they have regular seats without those tables?

    I remember Yanks talking about those other movie theaters that serve food and drinks, and people gave him a hard time here. LOL. These iPic theaters though seem to claim the food is "gourmet." Again, that just seems totally unnecessary. To me, just a soda or bottle of water is fine.

  2. #2
    Member rcarlberg's Avatar
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    We have a theater called Cinebarre near me, they serve food & drinks & alcohol with the movie.

    Distracting? The key is to get there early, get your order in, and try to finish your sandwich before the movie starts. The staff try not to run around too much after the theater darkens. They bring your bill in the last five minutes of the film. Weighing the convenience of not finding a restaurant before or after the film, versus eating in your easy chair, I'd say the minor distraction is well worth it.

    Gourmet? Not really. Some stuff is pretty good, most is average to bad.

    Prices? Well when regular popcorn is $6 I guess a burger for $10 is to be expected. No bargain for sure.

    Cinebarre is an experience halfway between attending a real hoity-toity theater, and watching a DVD at home. With better sound and picture.

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    Highly Evolved Orangutan JKL2000's Avatar
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    Apparently the chef at the one opening here has worked with Wolfgang Puck for 19 years, for whatever that's worth.

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    We have Alamo Draft House Cinema here in my home town which sounds like the same concept as the theater you describe. It is actually my favorite theater on the planet. They have 25 beers on tap (all micro-brews, you can’t even ask for a Bud or Miller in this place). They also have a full menu and the best popcorn I have ever had. They bring it to you in a bowl literally tossed in butter and you can get free refills. They wait on you during the film, but are not intrusive. The seats / tables are all tiered so they wait staff is kind of below your sight lines so they never get in the way. When you want another beer you just put up a little piece of paper with the beer written on it and they go get it for you. The seats are very comfortable full high backed seats that lean back, kind of hard to describe, but much more comfortable than a normal theater seat. Along with normal first run movies, they also show a lot of indie stuff, and old classics. I have actually never eaten dinner there, just popcorn and beer, the food I have seen looked good. This place has spoiled me as I think it blows all the other theaters in town away.

  5. #5
    Highly Evolved Orangutan JKL2000's Avatar
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    There's an Alamo Draft House theater here too but I've never been to it. I went to an Alamo Draft House restaurant once and wasn't impressed, but I can see how the craft beer and popcorn with a movie could totally work.

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    Quote Originally Posted by rcarlberg View Post

    Distracting? The key is to get there early, get your order in, and try to finish your sandwich before the movie starts. The staff try not to run around too much after the theater darkens. They bring your bill in the last five minutes of the film. Weighing the convenience of not finding a restaurant before or after the film, versus eating in your easy chair, I'd say the minor distraction is well worth it.


    e.
    Alamo also urges patrons to be seated early, that way the staff can take your order before the movie starts. In fact, their policy is that they will not seat people once the movie starts and they do stick to that policy. If you are late, you do not get seated.

  7. #7
    It's an idea that's been tried here in the UK as well, but with little success.

    It's bad enough people munching popcorn and rustling bags of sweets during a movie, but eating other types of food just makes it worse.

    Some cinemas have a VIP area you can pay a bit more for, with wider seats, more leg room and in some you can also drink alcohol, within reason.

    But the notion of ordering and being served food while the movie is on is just a big no-no for me.
    I only clicked on it because I thought it was going to be something more interesting...

  8. #8
    Highly Evolved Orangutan JKL2000's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rogue Mail View Post
    It's an idea that's been tried here in the UK as well, but with little success.

    It's bad enough people munching popcorn and rustling bags of sweets during a movie, but eating other types of food just makes it worse.

    Some cinemas have a VIP area you can pay a bit more for, with wider seats, more leg room and in some you can also drink alcohol, within reason.

    But the notion of ordering and being served food while the movie is on is just a big no-no for me.
    " I ordered this steak medium rare! Does this look like medium rare? I DEMAND to see the chef!!"

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    Member rcarlberg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rogue Mail View Post
    But the notion of ordering and being served food while the movie is on is just a big no-no for me.
    I tend to go to Cinebarre for summer blockbusters, comedies and alien movies.

    The serious engaging movies I prefer to do in a hoity-toity theater.

  10. #10
    Member Zeuhlmate's Avatar
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    Dark dining takes place in a dark restaurant, where the customers do not see the food they are eating. The basic concept is that the removal of vision enhances the other senses and increases gastronomic pleasure. Since 1999 such restaurants have opened in many parts of the world.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_dining

  11. #11
    Quote Originally Posted by Zeuhlmate View Post
    Dark dining takes place in a dark restaurant, where the customers do not see the food they are eating. The basic concept is that the removal of vision enhances the other senses and increases gastronomic pleasure. Since 1999 such restaurants have opened in many parts of the world.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dark_dining
    I go to movies to see the movie. While my kids like to get popcorn and candy, I just want to immerse myself in the movie.
    The only "special" movie theater that I will go to is the new Dolby Vision theaters with reserved seating and subwoofers in the seats. We saw Rogue One in Dolby Vision, and it was the best movie experience I have ever had. Cost is about 3.00 more than other theaters, but they also have very comfy recliners.

    If I want to eat and watch a movie at the same time, I'll do it at home.

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by Jubal View Post
    I go to movies to see the movie. While my kids like to get popcorn and candy, I just want to immerse myself in the movie.
    The only "special" movie theater that I will go to is the new Dolby Vision theaters with reserved seating and subwoofers in the seats. We saw Rogue One in Dolby Vision, and it was the best movie experience I have ever had. Cost is about 3.00 more than other theaters, but they also have very comfy recliners.

    If I want to eat and watch a movie at the same time, I'll do it at home.

    Some cinemas in the UK have something called D-BOX, which is a seat that moves around and vibrates. I only ever tried it once, turned it off after about 20 mins.

    That sort of thing is ok for specialist theatres, like some of the 4D ones in Disneyland, Universal Studio's (like the Terminator one, and a Shrek one I also saw), but its too much of a gimmick and a distraction for mainstream movies. Ok for kids, but I personally don't want to pay extra money for the equivalent of someone kicking your seat from behind.

    But of course the big question is...why hasn't anyone actually put Feelaround into cinemas...?
    I only clicked on it because I thought it was going to be something more interesting...

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    Member rcarlberg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jubal View Post
    they also have very comfy recliners.
    Bring out the comfy chair! Mwa-ha-ha!

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    Member Vic2012's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Rogue Mail View Post
    But the notion of ordering and being served food while the movie is on is just a big no-no for me.
    I feel the same. If I want an expensive steak dinner it won't be at a movie theater. It's kinda like when someone orders lobster or filet mignon at a sports bar. I've seen people do that then complain. Firstly, why is it even on the menu at a sports bar? Secondly, why would anyone order filet mignon at a sports bar? .

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    Member paythesnuka's Avatar
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    I've been to the iPic in Boca Raton, FL. IMO, it's a one-time experience.

    All seats are soft recliners (but not as soft as the red ones at AMC theaters). You have a choice of two types of seats. The last few rows are the VIP rows, where you get a pillow and blanket (not to bring home), free unlimited popcorn and a menu with above pub fare offerings you can buy. Each seat has a tray and cup holder. The firest few rows up front (but not on top of the screen) does not have the perks of the VIP rows, but are half the price, IIRC.

    Pricey seats. I think in the evening, tickets hover in the $30 range. Matinee and afternoon weekday are $14 I believe. NYC area prices may differ.
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    Member hippypants's Avatar
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    They have one here, but I've never been. I guess if you were going to eat out at a restaurant and see a movie, it makes sense somewhat. I think I would still prefer to just pick a restaurant then see a film though.

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    Studmuffin Scott Bails's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rcarlberg View Post
    We have a theater called Cinebarre near me, they serve food & drinks & alcohol with the movie.

    Distracting? The key is to get there early, get your order in, and try to finish your sandwich before the movie starts. The staff try not to run around too much after the theater darkens. They bring your bill in the last five minutes of the film. Weighing the convenience of not finding a restaurant before or after the film, versus eating in your easy chair, I'd say the minor distraction is well worth it.

    Gourmet? Not really. Some stuff is pretty good, most is average to bad.

    Prices? Well when regular popcorn is $6 I guess a burger for $10 is to be expected. No bargain for sure.

    Cinebarre is an experience halfway between attending a real hoity-toity theater, and watching a DVD at home. With better sound and picture.
    We have Movie Tavern 'round these parts, and I would describe it similarly to how Mr. Carlberg does. Although, I would say that the food is generally pretty good/average. Menu is similar to a Friday's or Ruby Tuesday, food is priced as you would expect in a movie theater (i.e. relatively expensive).

    It's not somewhere I would go very often, as it's an expensive night, but it's cool for an "event" film, such as Star Wars, etc. And my son loves it, so it's a nice treat for him as a reward for good grades, etc.
    Music isn't about chops, or even about talent - it's about sound and the way that sound communicates to people. Mike Keneally

  18. #18
    Member rcarlberg's Avatar
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    All the entrees at Cinebarre are named after movies or movie stars, they used to have one called "Arabian Nights" that I liked for lunch when I went for an $8 matinee after I retired. It was pita tips (wedges) and celery and green bell pepper strips, with a chunky vegetable cream cheese dip.

    But they discontinued it.

    Now it's all burgers and chicken sandwiches and pizza and stuff. Heavy and expensive.
    https://www.zomato.com/issaquah-wa/c...-issaquah/menu

  19. #19
    Highly Evolved Orangutan JKL2000's Avatar
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    For some reason I can't get anything to come up on the iPic website. I know there is or was an IPO going on or something, I'm not sure what the deal is.

  20. #20
    Member rcarlberg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by JKL2000 View Post
    For some reason I can't get anything to come up on the iPic website. I know there is or was an IPO going on or something, I'm not sure what the deal is.
    Do you have spam blockers turned on? It loads for me AFTER I turned off my protection. There is a lot of chaff delivered with that ipictheaters.com website:
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  21. #21
    Highly Evolved Orangutan JKL2000's Avatar
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    ^ Thats probably it, thanks.

  22. #22
    You get the bill in the last 5 mins of the pic, the climax? Great! Not. Sounds stupid.

  23. #23
    Geriatric Anomaly progeezer's Avatar
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    In Madison there are 2 theaters that have an on-site full bar, restaurant & lounge. You can eat/drink before, during & after the movie. I would call it consistently good Chili's/Applebee's type food minus the steaks. You can take a cocktail into the movie and they do have lap trays as well but after losing fries once in the dark that was it for me. The only waitstaff is in the lounge.
    "My choice early in life was either to be a piano player in a whorehouse or a politician, and to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference"

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    Member rcarlberg's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by nycsteve View Post
    You get the bill in the last 5 mins of the pic, the climax? Great! Not. Sounds stupid.
    They're discreet, but it's still a minor annoyance. I usually wait to dig for my credit card until the credits roll.

    And as I said, I usually only go there for popcorn movies.

  25. #25
    Member Jerjo's Avatar
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    I go to a theater in a small town thirteen miles away (my hometown is too small to support a theater). This theater is community-owned and staffed by volunteers, like a lot of small town theaters out here. Admission is $5 and a small popcorn is a buck, five bucks for a large buttered. We're going to see the new Thor movie tonight. They've got a digital system but never can get the sound mix right so you sometimes have to strain to catch the dialogue if the background music is loud but the picture is sharp. Can't ask for more than that for five bucks.

    I have been to these types of theaters when we lived in the Twin Cities but there was nothing there like the legendary Alamo Drafthouse chain. The food was mediocre and beer was all pisswater swill. I would KILL for a choice of microbrews, stellar popcorn, and a comfy chair.
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