Well, it might not be the return of a multiplex to Harvard Square, but this is still pretty exciting news for New England’s cinephiles: The Texas-based theater chain known as The Alamo Drafthouse is finally setting up shop in Boston. After a lengthy expansion out from Austin in pre-pandemic times and a flirtation with collapse during the pandemic itself, the Alamo’s recovered enough strength to push forward into new territory. They’re taking over the old ICON Seaport theater, which shuttered in the middle of the pandemic, and will join the ranks of the businesses in that building — bowling and crepes before an evening show anyone?
A little background about the Alamo experience, before we press onward. The Drafthouse is famous for a few different things. First, their programming is often exceptional, blending new first-run releases with audience-favorite classics as well as genuinely esoteric and strange discoveries (see: Weird Wednesday, which is a night basically run by the American Genre Film Archive). They’re also committed to showing as much as they can on 35mm film, and have said as much with reference to this new location. Second, they serve good food in a smart way: It’s not disruptive to the viewing experience as you might expect, and the menu’s often fantastic (enjoy a warm cookie or four while you watch your film). They also open up an in-theater bar oriented around a theme central to each location — Boston’s will be called “The Press Room,” which is, of course, referring to printing (screenprinting, in fact) and such and not laundry. Third, as they’re often fond of pointing out, they’ll throw your ass out if you talk or use your phone during the picture. Really. It’s pretty funny when they do, too.
Anyhow, it’ll be another interesting patch in the pageant of New England film culture, and we’re looking to see exactly what they’re cooking up.
Here’s the full text of the press release, as a treat:
“Innovative Austin-based theater chain Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is pleased to unveil plans for its first-ever New England location. Alamo Drafthouse Boston Seaport is a 10-screen theater with approximately 767 seats and will feature a signature mix of first-run films and curated specialty programming, an extensive made-from-scratch food and beverage menu, and luxury recliner seating throughout every auditorium. The new theater will be located at 60 Seaport Blvd. in the South Boston Waterfront’s new Seaport Square development, a living, dining, retail, and entertainment hub with co-tenants that include lululemon, Scorpion Bar, Tuscan Kitchen, Flight Club, Kings Bowling, and Equinox. Alamo Drafthouse Boston Seaport is expected to open in early 2023.
The new theater announcement follows a string of massive box office successes for the film industry and for Alamo Drafthouse specifically, allowing the theater chain to outpace the industry by 14percent in 2022 to date with films like ‘Top Gun: Maverick’, ‘The Batman’, incredible showings for films like ‘Everything Everywhere All At Once, continuing to play to sold out crowds in its 12th week, and ‘Bob’s Burgers’, where Alamo Drafthouse outperformed the industry by 230 percent during the film’s opening week, in part due to a long-lead marketing campaign and custom burger menu.
‘Each weekend brings a welcome reminder that audiences are enjoying the theatrical experience in droves, and responding to the unique passion Alamo Drafthouse brings to the industry,’ says Alamo Drafthouse CEO Shelli Taylor. ‘We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring our love of film, food, and beer to Boston, a city with rich culture, deep history, and a vibrant moviegoing scene.’
‘We are thrilled to welcome Alamo Drafthouse to Seaport and be home to its first Boston location. It’s a best-in-class theater that brings movies and dining together to create an all around exceptional and fun experience for everyone'” says Ariel Foxman, General Manager, Seaport Boston WS Development.
Alamo Drafthouse Boston Seaport’s 10 screens will showcase the company’s diverse mix of blockbusters, indies, documentaries, foreign language films, repertory classics, and unique special events like Movie Party celebrations of fan favorites (‘Elf’, ‘Legally Blonde’, ‘Ghostbusters’), deep dives into hardcore cinephilia, and family-friendly choices like low-cost Kids Camp screenings. Each auditorium will be equipped with top-of-the-line digital 4K projection and dynamic surround sound, and fully outfitted with luxury recliners complete with footrests, ensuring every seat in the house offers a viewing experience of unparalleled comfort.
Continuing the company’s commitment to preserving 35mm, Alamo Drafthouse Boston Seaport will also feature 35mm changeover projection so that both classic films and new releases can be experienced in glorious celluloid.
Alamo Drafthouse Boston Seaport will also feature a separate, full-service bar – The Press Room. Featuring craft cocktails, wine, and local craft beers on tap, The Press Room Bar is also a printing museum and functioning letterpress print shop with over 10,000 vintage movie ad plates from the 1930s through the 1980s on display. “
The Alamo Drafthouse Seaport 10 will open up in the first part of 2023.