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I've been here twice now, once for a Washington Wine Academy event (beer vs. wine) and the other time, this past weekend to see The Hangover. Tickets are decently priced, do note though that these are second-run movies. $1 Mondays/$2 Tuesdays/$5.50 other days.
The best experiences would be watching comedies. I mean, laughter + beer = great times!
Pretty comfortable place to see a comedy show. Arrive early to ensure a good seat. The two stars is for the experience. Staff was friendly and the show was entertaining.
But the food is terrible and the drink options are average. Eat/drink before you go. Other theaters offer drinks during shows, so this isn't a compelling reason for me to return.
I'm pretty sad about writing this review and maybe it's unfair because I had abnormally high expectations for the Arlington Cinema, but I was pretty disappointed with my experience here. It is actually not a bad scene, but I all of my pizza-eating-beer-drinking movie theater experiences have been at the Parkway in Oakland, CA. The Parkway is amazing and Arlington Cinema just cannot compete. Have you guys been there? Oh holy god, it is amazing.
That said, it's pretty good since it's the only one of it's kind in the area. Here's my major beef: first off, it's really bright in there during the movie and not all that quiet. It's kind of like watching a movie in a bar. Secondly, they have no couches, only chairs. This saddens me greatly.
Don't get me wrong, it ain't a bad place but I generally avoid leaving DC so looks like I'll have to stick with pouring white wine in my Sigg and hanging at the Uptown from here on out.
What can I say that hasn't been already? The movies are cheap ($1 Mon/$2 Tues) with max price of $5.50 weekends. Yes the food is a bit pricey, but not bad. They have a wide variety of beers in bottles and on tap. Last time I had a Two Hearted Ale which was awesome. You don't have to order anything, however, if you just want to see a movie for cheap. Sometimes the squeak of someone's chair will bring you out of the movie experience, as will the waiters' questions, but that's part of the drafthouse ambiance.
The food isn't great, the seats aren't great, and the movie screen and audio aren't great, but when you put them all together the experience is great. This isn't the place to go see the new special-effects laden movie, but there is no better place to go see a comedy with some friends, especially on Monday ($1 movies) or Tuesday ($2 movies).
It's always fun watching movies drunk! Just kidding. Well, not really.
Just don't be that obnoxious drunk who guffaws incessantly at everything.
I love the Drafthouse. Considering this is an older movie theater, the food is surprisingly good (try the Marilyn Monroe Burger) the menu of food and drinks is extensive, and the service is always top-notch. Sure, the theater is a little more beat-up than if you're used to AMC, but what do you want?
And really, how do you beat $1 Movie Mondays?!
Want to see a movie where you think "jesus, a beer would make this 100% more tolerable?" You're in luck here, friend. I've seen two movies my girlfriend wanted to drag me to here and both times beer has made them tolerable.
I've seen live comedy here, too and it was great. They pull pretty decent comics here despite not being too well known.
The food is not the greatest and sodas are expensive ($2.50 for a Pepsi!) but dude... dining, alcohol and a movie? Come on, that can't be beat. Relatively unknown spot for a good time in Arlington.
PS - If the server doesn't come by, it's because your table flag isn't up.
I LOVE this place.
* 1$ Movies on Mondays and Tuesdays
*Woodchuck 802 Dark & Dry Cider (my favorite)
*Buffalo Chicken wrap (my favorite pub food, second only to Chadwick's wrap)
*5.50$ movies the rest of the time
They have a full menu (of pub food), wine, beer, martinis, etc etc
The service was REALLY good for us. Maybe this was a fluke, based on some other reviews.
My new favorite place to go out.
Fun place to see a movie. You're best off coming for some light and frothy entertainment.
I can't vouch for menu. Our server never came by to take our order.
New seats are more comfortable, but a bit clumsy.
Good beer selection, but it took an hour to get our first pitcher.
I'll have to give it a second chance, but probably not on another holiday weekend.
You can't complain much about movies for a $1.
The dinner service during the movie is not bad. I tried the cuban sandwich on the menu. Not bad considering the circumstances.
Tried to eat in the restaurant at the front of the theater for burgers on a Monday early evening and wasn't served by anyone. Had to leave and eat around the corner. Don't go here for the food.
For one dollar to see a movie, complaining shouldn't be allowed.
If you go there to see a cheap movie, it's a great deal. Do note though:
- Bring a sweater, it's really cold inside
- It's kind of dirty/messy
- Have cash
- Don't bring a girl here for a first date. I was going to describe a type of girl who might be okay with it, but no, definitely don't bring any girl here on a first date for $1 movie.
Four stars because where else are you going to find movies (OK, granted second run movies) for less than 10$? Plus, if you sign up for their newsletter you can get invites to some free screenings. Just don't pay attention to new movie releases and you won't even notice that the movies are second run.
I wouldn't come here for the food or drinks, although both are decent -- bar food, basically. The food service can also be incredibly slow. However, the atmosphere is really laid back and fun, and no one will yell at you if you're one of those people who feel the need to comment on movies to your friends or laugh a little bit too loudly at them. Not that I do that...
Do not order a glass of wine here, ever. They serve you boxed crapola no matter your selection. I know my wine. Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc does not make my eyes water. Do not attempt to insult my intelligence.
And it's service with a snark, 9 out of 10 times.
Go for the cheap movies and decent comedians.
I'm so glad they exist. I love the environment, the new chairs, the concept, the cool factor, and… Read more »
Let's face it. It's only a matter of time before all of Arlington becomes one large Starbucks franchise and all the bars look like Liberty tavern (no hating Liberty) But, for those of us who still enjoy a bit of character with our beers, places like the Drafthouse are irreplaceable.
ENTERTAINMENT: Unlike its Alexandria doppelganger, the Drafthouse shows second-run movies. Don't go expecting to see the latest episode of Twilight (thank god). Rather, they put on films that we were all too busy (or cheap) to see the first time around. When not showing AMC's dregs, the Drafthouse contents itself with booking comics, showing cult classics, and hosting the occasional singer.
ATMOSPHERE: Dad's den meets dive-bar, oh with a wicked large movie screen. Sit down in the not-so-comfortable chairs around a table that looks like it was stolen out of a 1970s living room. The atmosphere is distinctly "Old-Arlington." If someone was trying to sell this as an apartment they'd have to describe it as "lived in." But, despite the slightly run-down furniture, the place has a good feel to it.
FOOD/DRINK: Beer, cheap and by the pitcher. Nachos that you could take or leave, and a whole host of modestly priced bar food round out the menu of the Drafthouse. Stick with fries and bar food or go for something fried if you are arriving for an early, show. The beer selections are actually decent, and if memory serves, you can get yourself some of America's best Blue Ribbon winning beer: PBR.
COMPANY: A agree with other posters here: keep the children at home. Bring the spouse or girlfriend, bring your work buddies, bring your friends. Ditch your stuck-up mother-in-law and your parol officer.
FINAL THOUGHTS: If you get your kicks out of sleek high-definition, surround sound home theaters, stay at home and relax on your Bang Olfhousen couch. This is not the place for you. However, if you enjoy watching cult classics like Army of Darkness, drinking cheap beer and wearing your favorite jeans and flip-flops, make plans to stop on by, catch up on a flick, or watch a comedy show.
This place has made leaps and bounds from what it used to be.
It used to have wretched food. The beer...well just tasted funny. No, I am not a beer snob. The only time I tip my nose up to beer is usually when its followed by my mug being tipped up as well. I survived on Natty while in college, I know bad beer. This was...well, weird beer. Not so anymore. Arlington Cinema Draft House switches out their movies a little more frequently now and it seems to have more showings throughout each night. They also have comedic acts and also have theme nights where they play cult classics like Office Space and a personal favorite The Big Lebowski.
Its a good place to go with some friends if you want to catch a cheap flick. They aren't brand spanking new, but as busy as most people are...most movies are out of the theatres before you know it anyways.
The have a bar that serves food next door, theres a usual bartender there thats pretty friendly and great on keeping your glass full. A swell place and the fact that its 21+ sifts out the usual teenage theatre crowd.
ON THAT NOTE...PARENTS, DON'T BE THE ONE TO BRING YOUR KID AND 1,000 OF THEIR FRIENDS TO A MOVIE HERE. It happened once and I swear I wanted to break my bottle and start shivving minors. This has only happened once, I've been there many times.
I've been going to the Draft House since I was a wee lass (I saw A Thomas Crowne Affair--the remake--here). It was magical back then, a place to eat AND watch movies, holy schnikeys!
As an adult I hit up the Draft House every few months. I prefer to go to the movies alone (is that weird) but the Draft House is something you do with friends. The movies they show are a few months behind (for instance, right now they've got Burn After Reading and Quantum of Solace as features), but the reason you go is for the atmosphere. It's like eating a TV dinner in the family room, but on steroids. It's just so damn comfortable.
Always go early for films that were huge box office hits. Nothing is worse than thinking that you and your friends are the only ones who want to see Superbad, then driving up and finding the line stretches around the corner and down the block. With that in mind, always buy your tickets online, too.
The food is just okay, they could put a little more love into it. The wines are cheap, so that's nice.
Try not to be the arsehole who shows up and saves 18 seats for his friends that are running late, you will get stabbed.
I dig this place. Odd service, and a running theme of small beverage holders, but I go for the film which involves the ever complex task of sitting and staring, so scrutinizing George the popcorn guy and Mildred the soda gal seems odd.
I have been to the draft house 3 times:
1) With blonde highlighted, leather clad, sprite of a boy I used to date (who wound up wiping his poopy butt with a bath towel and leaving it hanging on the shower door during a weekend away - all weekend) and his array of pals to see Will Smith play a drunken, disgustingly rude super hero in "Hutch". Memories. And I complain about being single ...
2) A little mother daughter bonding time over dinner and drinks, while viewing "He's Just Not That Into You". The beer and red wine arrived in doll sized glasses, but since mom was footing the bill on the multiple refills to equal one normal glass of alcohol - I didn't mind. We opted to split the Guacamole w/ chips and Bean Burger Wrap - both of which were surprisingly tasty, and quite filling. Pretty rockin' slaw and fries too.
3) With two girlfriends to see "I Love You Man" on Monday Night for a whopping $1. What a steal! The gals ordered and gobbled up the Chicken Tender Wraps, which the server allowed their multiple tweaks on the normal serving. Our water and soda ($2.50 no refills - really? were still in a no free refill world? Let the soda fountain floweth over!) arrived in tiny tim-esque cups.
**I would have never noticed how strange this place is with sodium chloride if I wasn't with the nations two largest consumers of salt, but boy does The Draft House not want to dish out the salt. I suppose its possible they are looking out for the rising blood pressure of my pals...or, that the over consumption of salt ties directly into thirst, which leads to George and Mildred having to begrudgingly refill the liquid in the teeny tiny glasses! They stack 3 or 4 packets in a wee condiment cup, and that all you will be getting. After begging for more, and wrestling the remaining fries out of multiple hands of the servers passing by - they gave up, defeated, and released the fries claiming it just wasn't worth the fight for the spuds or the salt.
They do have birch beer floats!! In glasses made for sea monkeys!!
This place has left a fairly vivid impression on me; I am already excited for my next experience.
Ah how I miss the old days...of $1 sushi at Matuba followed by a $1 movie at the Drafthouse next door. The Drafthouse has been refurbished since I departed VA for MA, but it still keeps the same down-to-earth movie+beer spirit, sans the sticky floors and uncomfortable seats.
Food and drink have both been retooled to go with the new comfy chairs, clean tables, and little orange table flags for patrons to use as signals for the waitstaff. The menu sports new cocktails like the Dracula (bloody mary) and the Big Lebowski ('nuff said). Crab cakes have joined the nachos and popcorn.
If the Drafthouse, Eatbar Sunday movie night, and the Kennedy School theater had a baby theater together, I'd be in heaven.
What's not to like? Beer (or liquor!), food, cheap movies, comfy seats.... I'm there!
Tickets are so cheap ($5.50 typically, with specials as low as $1) that it more than makes up for the somewhat overpriced food. Plus, they offer nonsmoking shows, which is nice. Service is a little slow; there are only 2 or 3 waiters taking care of the entire place, but at least they're friendly. Get there a little early to order your food and drinks, and you'll be set. I've never NOT had a good time here.
The moviegoing experience here is different than a regular theater because this place, in essence, is a restaurant and bar, that happens to show movies on a movie theater screen. The cinema plays second-run releases--stuff that's been in the theaters for months. But if you get on their email list, you will be surprised with free movie passes for "soon to be released" films, as long as you don't mind getting them the day of the free screening, and you don't mind giving up a day in the middle of the week to get to the theater by 5. I saw early screenings of Away We Go and the recent Rolling Stones concert film (and even won a few pieces of Stones vinyl during their raffle). The owners, and audiences, tend to be liberal--which I don't mind a bit. They showed Gore's 7/7/07 Save the Planet concerts here, and that was a great party. If Busboys & Poets owned a cinema and drafthouse, and kept the aging moviehouse "as is" (no slick upgrades), it would resemble Arlington Cinema Draft House.
After some much-needed renovations, I can hardly smell the funk. The old seats have been replaced by cushioned pleather chairs often used by middle management. The spinach salad with walnuts and blue cheese was actually decent. Alas, the salmon was overcooked, and the teriyaki sauce drizzled over it was sweeter molasses. Was the color theme always mauve?
Does anyone remember Visions? I still dream of that dashing, smashing theater. The Drafthouse is… Read more »
The Drafthouse has really made a lot of progress through the years, largely thanks to the current ownership group. When I first moved to Arlington in 2004, the Drafthouse would be running films for 6-8 weeks, the place was stale, the food was awful. The current owners have turned it into a real community hotspot.
With the updated menu, superior service, and much better and more frequent movies, the Drafthouse is a great value for $5 bucks. It is also a great place to watch football. We now avoid many movies in the normal theater to wait for it at the Drafthouse. It's an all around better experience.
Yes, the food does taste like frozen microwaved food. However, where else can you lounge around, drink beer by the pitcher, and enjoy a movie with your friends, especially on a Monday for $1.
Go check it out with a group of your friends - you will have a blast.
A solid place to catch a second run movie on the cheap.
You've got to know that the food is not the best, but it is ok and the service is generally on point.
Although you can get a "dinner" dish, I'd stay safer and go with beer and some munch food. Potato skins are fairly good, popcorn is ok, cheese fries leave a lot to be desired; nothing really outstanding good or bad. if you're looking for a nicer "dinner and a movie", grab dinner somewhere else before you come.
Screen is decent, but really, this is a place to go chill with friends, grab a beer, and catch a flick other than someone's living room. They do it well.
Da Movie, be good. Da Food, be bad. Da Booze, be rockin'!
Sooo... the lovah and I ventured to this spot last night, mainly because we heard the words "Beer", "Movie" and "Greasy Food" in the same sentence. We were convinced that such a place didn't exist.. but lo and behold, we walked into a dream - a huge living room with waiters and booze! This movie theater not only had a bar, but also had tables for couples/groups, oversized office chairs (quirky, but functional), and tiered sitting levels so that you don't have to peer over your neighbor's bouffant to see the movie.
The menu was fairly basic, and nothing far from a normal 24-7 diner fare. We posted our "flag", and our waitress came by immediately to take our order. Cheeseburgers and a pitcher of Sam Adam's Oktoberfest were in order for such an event! Yeeeeah Doggie!! The food arrived pretty quickly, and it was, well - "ick." My expectations were not very high, but it just plain sucked. The burger bun was dry and old, and the beef tasted like a pre-manufactured slice 'o brown stuff. It was also very dry, and well - just bad. (Trust me, I'm a cheeseburger expert!). We decided to try again with the chili-cheese hotdog. It was marginal, but then again - what can you really do to screw up a hotdog? If it weren't for the 3 glasses of beer and the huge movie screen in my face, I may have been discontent.
Overall it was a cool experience, and I may have to make it a bi-weekly event. The movie itself was MEGA cheap, and I got our tickets online which saved even more $$. Just don't go with high expectations on the food... you may be better off grabbing something at McDonald's on the way out!
So - we wanted to get out of our comfort zone and try something new. Arlington is a drive for us, but we'd heard this was a fun place and we wanted to see the movie that was playing, so we were game.
The movie prices are great (cash only for the movie ticket, but they do accept credit cards inside). The waitress was really friendly. The space is nice, though a bit more crowded than I would have designed it. Some weird chairs, some comfy recliners, some bar-like table seating, some small tables.
The crowd is mostly young college kids or yuppies. The menu was pretty decent, and the food was not bad. We ordered a specialty drink apiece which was great and then we got beers.
Our main complaint was the prices. For a place like this and for the quality of the food - WAY overpriced. We ordered chips and queso - greasy, somewhat stale tortilla chips and a small bowl of queso for $7.99. Then I got the John Wayne burger which was actually pretty good and my husband got the ham club wrap, which he said was okay, not great. They both came with fries, which were just fries - okay, not great, nothing to write home about, but not disgusting or anything. I believe our dinners were around $9 each. Specialty drinks were $7.99 each and beers were really pricey - $4.99 for my Magic Hat #9, and I think my husband's Harpoon IPA was a dollar or two more than that for a mug. Drinks in particular were overpriced, but the appetizer was ridiculous as well.
Our other major complaint - smoking is allowed after 9pm. Seriously - smoking? What is this, 1950? I'm sure the cool college kids think that makes this the greatest place on earth, but for us it means this was our only visit. We treasure our health and our lungs.
We had a good time and don't regret going, but we're in no rush to return - it's too bad, because the place has awesome potential. I'm sure there are plenty of people who don't mind dropping $80 on a night at the movies, but we were just looking for a casual night out and for what we got, (including an upcoming dry-cleaning bill for the smoke in our jackets) it just wasn't worth the price. We will be returning to Manassas Cinemas and their movie cafe, where you can sit back and order a beer and dinner and watch the movie in comfy rolling chairs and not have to deal with smoke and the prices are much lower.
I went for the first time last week and to be honest, the whole experience was just so-so. I enjoyed the idea of being able to drink, eat and watch movies all at once. Reminded me of when I lived in Europe. However, this place is dank, creepy and I had the crazy feeling that everything I was going to touch had a slimy or sticky film on it. Ewwww! I honestly thought I was going to need another penicillin shot after I left. (Did I just say that?)
As for the food, I'd say skip eating there and dine next door at Bangkok 54. Stick to the drinking. I had a chicken cesar wrap which was good but the French fries were terrible. They were cold, and flimsy and cold and soaked with oil and cold. Blaah! The sangria was good though.
4 stars for: cheapness ($1 on a monday night), free parking, ordering food, and fast service.
the not-so-good: expensive food (definitely how they make their money)
awesome experience although i was a bit taken aback by the office chairs everywhere.
+4 stars because:
I love drinking beer and I love watching movies. Therefore being able to do the two together is awesome. Plus there is the added bonus of a pretty good beer selection and some really cool events. Tickets are cheap, it's an intimate venue for some really awesome national comedy acts, it's not your typical movie theater.. and for all these reasons it makes for a great night out.
-1 star because:
As I was walking out of a Brian Posehn show on Saturday night bitching about how terrible our rude and neglectful (albeit overworked) waitress had been, my ever observant boyfriend pointed out I had bitched about the same thing the last time we came here to see not a movie.
CINEMA DRAFTHOUSE: PLEASE HIRE MORE WAIT STAFF. IT IS ANNOYING TO HAVE TO WAIT FOR 2 HOURS TO GET SOMEONE TO TAKE MY ORDER AND THEN HAVE HER BRING THE BILL 10 MINUTES AFTER MY FOOD HAS ARRIVED. That is all.
Tips for navigating the AC/DH:
*Every time I have seen a comedian here, it has sold out before the show began. They sell tickets for every single SEAT in the house, not every single TABLE. So if you are a group of 2 and feel a little squeamish about sharing your tiny table with complete strangers, I recommend arriving waaay in advance and scoring a seat at one of the bars or up front.
*They deal in cash for tickets, but take plastic for food and drink orders. This includes special events and performances. Save yourself the ATM fee, come prepared.
*Sign up for their newsletter. They are really great about letting you know about the coolest events they have going on- like free movie screenings or pre-movie shenanigans. Yes, you will have to put up with weekly updates, but trust me, it pays off.
*If you are really broke, go on Monday. Same movies, but with a handsome $1 admission.
An awesome concept and this is best of seen or heard of it being done. You watch just-out-of-theater movies on a big screen (we watched Forgetting Sarah Marshall), for a pretty cheap price, and can have beer and food while you watch. Pitchers of beer seem to the popular choice here. And who wouldn't want to watch a comedy with pitcher of Yuengling at their side?
Also, since this is not a "true" cinema, the crowd feels free to hoot and holler and exert a more fun ambiance to what's going on on-screen. Which is always a good thing.
It's really more like 3.5 stars, but everyone who seems to agree with that has tipped up to 4 stars, so I'm just trying to keep it real.
The concept = 5 stars
The food = 2.5 stars
The wine = 2 stars (at least by the glass)
The beer = 4 stars (I'm always dissatisfied with the selection in the DC area)
The price of movie = 5 stars
The price of food & drink = 3 stars
The drafthouses in Austin blow this one out of the water.
This place has everything it promised: movies, beer and food, all for relatively cheap. The movie was worth the $5.50 because it was grainy and weird looking and the place was drafty and cold, but it was worth it to be able to drink beer and laugh at Tom Cruise. It's not the height of sophisticated nightlife, but for a low-key evening with friends, it's a good way to trade up from your government cheese nachos and 15 inch screen for movies at home.
Seriously awesome. As soon as I found out about its existence, I made a point to get out and experience it myself. I'm totally enamoured. Super cheap tickets, good food and service, strong drinks, and very reasonably priced at that. Fun crowd and great for either comedy or movies. I adore the decor, and especially the 70's style suede palm trees on either side of the hall that look like sand art and definitely add to the vibe. Extra special plus on the twirly chairs. :)
It's honestly one of my favorite movie viewing experiences. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is cause the sound is a bit muffled as others have noted, and that it's a little out of the way. If I could walk here, I would. At least once a week for sure. Love it!!
I really wanted to like ths place but I've had very bad experiences here. First time was their "80's Themed New Years Eve" celebration which basically had no service (and by service I mean I just wanted to keep buying beer.. not anything complicated). The entertainment was Weird Science... repeatedly... on DVD. Second time I bought tickets to see Borat here (can't imagine a better spot)... and they wouldn't let us in because they had oversold the theater. Had some good Peruvian food nearby though. I want to give this place another chance since beer + comfy chairs + movies = great idea.
For a place that shows second run movies, the screen is pretty big. We went here last night to see "The Departed" (which, if you haven't seen it yet, is awesome). The theater itself is in need of a few repairs, such as new insulation -- brrrr!!!
Every Friday is "Wine Night" and if you want to participate get there at 6:15pm. You pay your server $2 for a stack of raffle tickets which buys you "tastes" (about 1/2 of a glass). Yummy!!
The food is typical bar type muchies like pizza , wraps, nachos and potato skins. We got a pitcher of soda (cause we live large like that) and some skins for about $10. The "date seats" are sweet, too.
I'm a big fan of the Arlington Draft house. It's one of those places, that for a long time, I kept meaning to check out, but procrastinated. I've seen a bunch of movies there and saw the Upright Citizen's Brigade improv group perform there as well. Had a great time every time.
The Draft House is an old old theater. It has a interesting old time feel. There are two seater chairs, tables, and bars, to eat and drink while you watch a movie or performance. I love being able to drink a beer and eat while I watch a movie. It makes a more memorable (if you don't drink too much) experience.
The waiters are always friendly and pretty attentive. If your at a show with quite a few people, I suggest ordering extra beer ahead of time, otherwise you may get held up by a wait. I typically go with at least three other people and we order no less than two pitchers to start.
I was a lil wary of the food at first, but to my surprise it was very good. :)
Monday nights they do a dollar movie night. They also have special events, like stand up comedy, Redskins games, VT games, Kid's Movies, and cult classic movie special events.
I definitely recommend checking the draft house if you haven't or have been meaning to. :)
for more informaiton and movie times.. http://www.arlingtondr.../
I've been to the Arlington drafthouse twice, once for a stand-up and skit comedy show and once for their dollar movie night.
My first star is entirely for the fact that you can see a movie on the big screen for a dollar here. The second is for the boisterous crowd that the drafthouse attracts. I want to give a third star for the alty servers, but not for their service, more for the look. I think this is a two star place but I'm mostly just throwing in the third because I'm nice like that.
Here's where it loses me ---
For all of you who have been here, you know that it's a pain in the ass to get to. The first time it was "over the river and through the woods...blah blaah blah." We took the metro and decided to try to walk because it mapquested as only a mile or so. Mapquest didn't say across a highway. Luckily the second time I had a lift. The lack of metro access is insufferable to this spoiled District-centric girl.
As far as comedy goes, this is a decent place for sketch comedy, and a piss poor place for stand up. There's no intimacy, no ability to see little facial expressions or gesticulations. I love standup. The genre is totally lost here. I saw a comic here who just bombed and I hated him for it. I saw him a couple months later and he rocked the house at DC Improv. Exactly the same routine. Point made.
For movie watching, the big screen is big and the chairs are comfy. The sound system needs a tune-up. Very crackly speakers. We saw Pirates of the Carribean, at World's End, with big fight scenes and a bushel of accents. Very hard to differentiate sound/hear dialogue.
Onto food and drink. Yes, I love that I can have dinner in front of a movie on the big screen. It's like being home, but better. When I went to see the movie, I was really excited to order some spicy wings. They were out. What kind of bar runs out of wings???! So I choked when I had choose an alternative and I went with a mediterranean salad. Except for the chicken, it was pretty nasty. The lettuce was bitter, the feta (if you can call it that) was bland, and they were way to liberal with the green peppers. For $9, I really expected better. I guess it serves me right for ordering a salad in a bar. Should've gone with something fried. I also ordered the house sangria. Too sweet to be anything other than out of a box. Unimpressed with that one, but willing to accept it for $4.50.
I have also been spoiled in DC by the absence of cigarette smoke indoors. The people behind us on both sides were smoking. But you know what? I couldn't really smell it. They must have good ventilation in there.
I give kudos to our servers for distributing and collecting our tabs so quickly and keeping everything straight.
Finally made it out to this place last weekend to see the Bourne Ultimatum - and I'm sad it took me so long! This place was great! You need to get here a little bit early to get a choice of seats, but there was tons of space. The waitresses were super helpful in getting drink and food orders right away.
It says on the menu "all orders come at the same time, please be patient." So we were super surprised and pleased when our pizza came out before the movie even started! It was awesome.
The place is old, but it gives off a cozy feel. Add alcohol to the mix, and you've got a great place for a Saturday night. I will attest that the food and drinks are a bit on the expensive side, and our pizza didn't blow me away (canned mushrooms, anyone??) But the movie is cheaper than at other theaters, so it makes up for it. When I go next time, I think I'd get a couple appetizers - as I saw later they do have chili cheese fries. MMM!
New menu and grill attached to theater add some tasty treats to the mix. Although I have been a draft house fan since 2000.
Stand up shows are amazing there as well. I saw Jeanine Garafalo 20 feet in front of me for 20 bucks. Maria Bamford was amazing a well.
Lobby has been updated and I have heard rumors of theater upgrades!!! I have always gone here for some good brew and movie action not surround sound and crystal clear picture....maybe soon I will have both?
If you are looking for big theater with amazing surround sound, comfy chairs and stadium seating then the drafthouse is not for you. Its not that bad (in fact the sound is pretty good), but its not your typical style of theater.
I love how many of their movies are older and only cost a few bucks. The drafthouse is a great place to go to see that movie that you really wanted to see but could not justify paying full price to go see. I also really enjoy watching Hokie football games there too for some reason. It was a really great atmosphere!
The major downfalls is that its always pretty crowded for major events and so it can be hard to find seats if you dont get there super early. Additionally the waitresses are always over worked and understaffed so i reccemmend getting pitchers so you dont need to get as many refils!
Their food is highly disappointing. Its not bad, but it is nothing that i couldn't easily recreate at home. Nothing at all special.
So for a different expereince the draft house is definiately worth a visit... i would just have an appetizer there and check out another restaurant down the street (like thai square!) afterwards :)
Neighborhood: Chevy Chase
Category: Cinema
Neighborhood: Dupont Circle
Category: Cinema
Falls Church, VA
Category: American (Traditional)
Neighborhood: Cleveland Park
Category: Cinema
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Category: Cinema
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