“The Alamo Drafthouse Theater is good food, good beer and good film, all at the same place!”
That’s how we described ourselves in 1997, and that mission hasn’t changed and will never, ever change. For over two decades we’ve worked to make the Alamo Drafthouse experience the best cinematic experience in the world. Here’s how.
The greatest films ever made. | We don’t just want to be another multiplex. Everyone who works at Alamo Drafthouse, from the managers to the servers to the kitchen staff, is passionate about film.
To us, the latest entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe can be just as worthy of attention and celebration as a foreign language drama. Through our Drafthouse Recommends program we've committed ourselves to help innovative and challenging films like GET OUT, THE FLORIDA PROJECT, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME, and THE FAVOURITE find an audience.
Celebrating classic cinema is also something we take seriously. Whether it’s an interactive Movie Party presentation of a timeless classic, a chef-inspired feast with a menu paired to a film, or a re-evaluation of a lost classic, we love sharing the movies we love with Alamo Drafthouse audiences of all ages.
Concession stands are so twentieth century. | When you see a movie at Alamo Drafthouse, you get cold drinks, delicious meals and tasty local brews, brought to your seat by a server. Need a free refill on your popcorn or soda? Raise an order card and we’ll get it taken care of quickly.
Each Alamo Drafthouse location’s menu features mouthwatering burgers, pizzas and salads prepared fresh from locally sourced ingredients. Plus, our culinary geniuses regularly create special menu items inspired by classic cinema and big upcoming blockbusters, like an all-Pakistani menu curated by Kumail Nanjiani for THE BIG SICK or a take on African flavors for BLACK PANTHER.
Beer is our middle name at Alamo Drafthouse, so we make certain that every Alamo Drafthouse location highlights and promotes the work of the best local craft breweries. Our bar staff also loves to innovate, and are constantly mixing up new cocktail creations that’ll elevate the cinematic experience.
Every frame matters. | Presentation standards are one of the most important and yet most frequently overlooked aspect of the theatergoing experience. At Alamo Drafthouse we’re obsessed with making sure that each film looks and sounds the best it possibly can, and that means investing in new technology, constant maintenance to make sure our equipment meets our standards, and developing and training the next generation of projectionists.
Our projection teams are vital to the company. Because many classic films are only available on celluloid, the only way they can be seen is on film. That’s why most Alamo Drafthouse locations are fitted with at least one 35mm projector, and several even have widescreen 70mm equipment, the preferred format for visionary filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and Paul Thomas Anderson.
Respect. Find out what it means to us. | At Alamo Drafthouse we respect our guests, our employees, and the work of the filmmakers that unspools on screen. That’s why...
We have a Code of Conduct that strictly prohibits harassment of any type by anyone at our theater
We have zero tolerance for talking or using a cell phone of any kind during films. We’ll kick you out, promise. We’ve got backup.
We don’t allow anyone under the age of 18 to see a film unaccompanied unless they’re part of our Victory Vanguard program.
To minimize distractions, we generally don’t admit babies and infants to minimize distractions for other guests. We do, however, offer weekly daytime screenings under the banner of Alamo For All (formerly known as Baby Day), meant for young families and guests with special needs.
With the exception of movie trailers (naturally), we don’t show advertisements from other companies or organizations on our screens. Instead, if you arrive early you’ll see a custom preshow our video squad has filled with content we think you’ll love.
A family affair | Through a bit of luck and a lot of hard work by thousands of people, we’ve gotten the opportunity to do some amazing things over the years. Along the way, Alamo Drafthouse has created or been a part of some brands that we’re really proud of.
MONDO | From humble beginnings as a t-shirt printing shop nestled in the lobby of Alamo Drafthouse South Lamar, MONDO creates limited edition screen printed posters, vinyl movie soundtracks, VHS re-issues, toys, pins, apparel and so much more.
Fantastic Fest | Held every September in Austin, TX, Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the U.S. specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and just plain fantastic movies from all around the world. The festival is dedicated to championing challenging and thought-provoking cinema, celebrating new voices and new stories from around the world and supporting new filmmakers.
Birth.Movies.Death | From cult classics to new blockbusters, from the latest TV shows to comics, from BBQ to the brewpub, Birth.Movies.Death celebrates (online and in print) everything that’s awesome.
AGFA | Formed in 2009, the American Genre Film Archive (AGFA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that exists to preserve the legacy of genre movies through collection, conservation, and distribution. Housing over six thousand film prints, a 4K film scanner, and theatrical and home video distribution arms, AGFA will never rest until genre movies rule the world.
