Entertainment
The beloved movie company is opening its first New England location in the Seaport in early 2023.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas will open a movie theater in Boston’s Seaport neighborhood in early 2023. Bryce Bernier
Attention, movie buffs: famed movie theater chain Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is opening its first-ever New England location in Boston.
Alamo Drafthouse Boston Seaport, which will occupy space previously occupied by ShowPlace Icon Theater at 60 Seaport Blvd., will be a 10-screen, 767-seat theater when it opens in early 2023.
With deluxe recliners in each auditorium and a mix of first-run movies and repertoire programs, Alamo Drafthouse Boston Seaport will also serve a menu of food and beverages made from scratch, according to a company press release. .
The news comes at a time of uncertainty for theater chains across the country. Total attendance has slowly increased but remains about 40% below pre-pandemic levels, according to ComScore. Variety reported that guests classified as “frequent moviegoers” — those who visit theaters at least once a month — returned in healthy numbers.
It’s this type of audience that is the bread and butter of the Alamo Drafthouse. Founded in 1997, the company was one of the first pioneers in providing an exceptional theatrical experience, serving meals in its films and strictly enforcing movie theater etiquette policies.
Alamo Drafthouse Seaport plans to host its fair share of indies, foreign films, documentaries and other cinephile catnip alongside standard blockbuster fare. Each theater at the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Boston Seaport will also be equipped with 4K projection and surround sound, and will allow for 35mm changeover projection so classic films and new releases play. Beyond catering for movie fanatics, Alamo Drafthouse Boston Seaport promises repertoire programming featuring fan favorites like “Elf” and “Legally Blonde,” and family-friendly events like discounted screenings of the Kids Camp.
“Each weekend brings a welcome reminder that audiences are enjoying the theatrical experience in droves and responding to the unique passion that Alamo Drafthouse brings to the industry,” Alamo Drafthouse CEO Shelli Taylor said in a statement. . “We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring our love of film, food and beer to Boston, a city with a rich culture, deep history and vibrant movie scene.”
Alamo Drafthouse will share 60 Seaport Blvd. building, owned by WS Development, along with Scorpion Bar, Tuscan Kitchen, Flight Club, Kings Bowling and Equinox.
“We are thrilled to welcome Alamo Drafthouse to [the] Seaport and will house its first location in Boston,” Seaport Boston WS Development General Manager Ariel Foxman said in a statement. “It’s a top notch theater that brings together movies and food to create an exceptional and fun experience for everyone.”
The addition of another theater in Boston is good news for moviegoers in the city. During the pandemic, the city lost two high-end cinemas when the ShowPlace Icon Theater in the Seaport and the ArcLight Cinemas on Causeway Street closed permanently.
In addition to the food and drink available for the theatrical experience, Alamo Drafthouse Boston Seaport will also open a separate full-service bar called The Press Room. Serving craft cocktails, wine and local craft beers, the bar doubles as a film museum, with a working typographic printing press and exhibits featuring over 10,000 vintage film advertising plates.
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