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Location: Northwest, North, Central, South, In/Outdoor: Indoor Activity level: Low Features: Alamo Drafthouse is an independent Austin movie theater that serves complete meals and beverages during the movie, including alcoholic beverages. Cost for a family of four: $28 without food, food cost varies greatly, average for family of four, for a movie and meal with drinks probably $50 - $60 (ticket prices: $8 adults, $6 children, students, and seniors, matinée before 6 pm $6). Best for ages: 4 and up | ![]() |
The Experience: Just like Vincent Vega in Amsterdam, you too can order beer with your movie. And you can also order french fries and drown them in mayonnaise if you desire. Alamo Drafthouse is an awesome place for a date or a night out with the girls. However, since this is a website about children's entertainment, we will focus on the family-friendly aspects of Alamo Drafthouse. In general, the theater does not admit children under the age of six; however, they are allowed to some family-friendly movies as long as they go before 6 pm. When the Drafthouse shows cartoons, such as the currently-playing Cars, they will admit children age 3 and over to all screenings of the show, but there is a warning that loud families will be asked to leave. The theater also has a summer movie camp, with free movies for children every weekday at 1 pm (again, age 3 and over). When choosing a movie to attend with your kids, check the details of the showtimes carefully, to make sure they will be allowed in. Plan on going to one of the locations other than downtown, which specializes in cult classics and sing-alongs for adults, and does not show kid movies. Try to arrive early, so that you can order your food before the movie starts. Every other row of seats has been removed and replaced with a table, so there is basically one long table stretching in front of all the seats. If you arrive after the movie starts, hold the menu under the table, where small lights shine to allow you to read the menu and the check. Write your order on a sheet of paper, provided at the table, and put it in the card holder on the table, and the waiter will come by and get it. Before the movie starts, old classic previews will be shown, often very funny, and short cartoons and sometimes old commercials. The food is all very tasty there, but my favorite is the Royale with Cheese Burger, which has to be one of the best cheeseburgers in Austin. The Drafthouse also serves other hot sandwiches, pizzas, salads, appetizers, and desserts. The food cost can add up quickly, but the food is really good and the portions are large. You may be able to share with your children if they are not big eaters. Of course, you can always just go the traditional route and order a tub of popcorn and sodas. The waiter will put the check on the table during the movie, after he or she makes sure you don't want anything else. You put your money or credit card on it, and he will close out the bill before the movie is over. The Alamo Drafthouse is always my number one choice in movie theater, for both the food and fun.
Before you go: Bring your credit card. If you are going to a movie that you think may be popular, buy your tickets on-line first. Movies often sell out on Friday and Saturday evenings.How to go cheaper: Go any day before 6 pm to get matinée prices, or go on Mondays, which are discount days – all shows are $6.
Birthday Parties: Do it yourself.
Accessibility: Coming Soon.
Fun Factor: 9/10
Yum Factor: N/A
Value Factor: 6/10
The Lowdown: Much more fun and tasty than the usual movie experience.
Hours: Alamo opens 45 minutes before first show of the day, check the website for show times.
Website: http://www.drafthouse.com
Address: 409 Colorado St., Austin Map: Google Map Phone: 476-1320
Address: 1120 S. Lamar Blvd., Austin Map: Google Map Phone: 476-1320
Address: 2700 W. Anderson Ln., Austin Map: Google Map Phone: 476-1320
Address: 13729 Research Blvd., Austin Map: Google Map Phone: 219-8135
