Cinebarre Biltmore Square

$1 movie Sunday! Easily the best deal ever.

The movies at Cinebarre aren't the newest, but for a dollar, you really can't go wrong. The theater isn't the newest or the cleanest, but the seats are comfy and there's a lot of leg room. The menu and beer selection is just fine. I had a chocolate shake for $6.50 - which was a little steep for its size, but seeing as I got into the movie practically for free, I let it slide. (The shake was delicious, by the way. Though instead of being topped with real whipped cream, it was some kind of cool whip type deal. Still delicious though.)

A movie theater in which you can have dinner and drinks while watching the film? What an amazing idea.......except that it's already been done, and continues to be done, just a few miles across town. Let's compare:

Cinebarre Asheville Pizza and Brewing

burger and side $10.00 burger and side $7.50

10" cheese pizza $10.00 12'' with 4 toppings $12.50

pint premium beer $5.00 pint brewed on-site $3.50

full-price ticket $10.00 full-price ticket $3.00

my usual total bill $70.00 usual total bill $33.00
(tickets, dinner, beer for 2) (tickets, dinner, beer for 2)

Comparison to Asheville Pizza and Brewing is perfectly fair and inevitable, given that Cinebarre chose to open in a town where their "unique" idea had already been covered...for years. So, given Cinebarre's prices, why would someone choose Cinebarre over the "Brew and View"? One motivation may be that Cinebarre more closely resembles the ordinary theater that is most familiar to many people. While the Brew and View is a full-on funky fest, Cinebarre boasts just enough of an alternative vibe to charm a more straight-laced clientele without throwing them out of their element.

Also, Cinebarre is in possession of first-run flicks, whereas the Brew and View gets movies just after they leave first-run theaters (and there is no guarantee that your movie will ever be showing there).

If you were born without the patience gene that allows you to wait for a second run, but would rather spend $70 on a concert, play, or opera instead of a freakin' movie, then a good suggestion would be to go for dinner and drinks BEFORE the film, and perhaps nurse one beer during it.

The food I have experienced (burger and fries) was only passable, and the price was highway robbery. In this town, you can get an organic burger, made from some creature that exists only on an uncharted island off the coast of Madagascar, topped with veggies grown in the Pope's garden and cheese from the teet of a thawed mastadon, for less than $10.

If beer + movies is your thing (and who's thing isn't it?), it's worth remembering that this theater is not the only first-run theater that serves alcohol. The Carolina serves draught mircrobrews, the Regal Cinemas Biltmore Grande has bottled beer, and The Fine Arts Theater features local brews.

Parents should take note that small children are allowed for the first showing one day per week.

Bottom line: "A" for effort, a nice staff, a nice setting, an efficient serving system, a dark and very quiet theater, interesting short films before the show, minimal previews, and those paper towels under the tables. In fact, an "A'" in most all areas. However, the cost, unfortunately, makes the whole experience not quite worth it for folks on a budget.

Cinebarre is a new way to watch movies! It is like a much fancier version of the Brew & View.

The seats all have tables in front of them. You can order from a wide menu before and during the movie. You can get pizza, popcorn in a metal bowl, a hamburger, beer, wine, coffee, etc. Other theaters do not give you these options and do not let you bring in outside food or drink.

During the movie, if you want something... simply write it down on a piece of white paper they provide and stick it up. Your service will be mostly quiet and not intrusive.

The seats are good... the picture quality is GREAT and the sound quality is GREAT. The picture and sound are better than any other theater in Asheville at present. The equipment is newer.

Cinebarre only shows a few movies, but they are generally the big releases that they expect lots of people to see. There is no talking allowed... no children under the age of 6... and no minors are allowed without an adult. Also, cellphones must be turned off!

A good thing is that you don't have to sit through "pre-show entertainment" which really means commercials that you are paying to watch. Cinebarre shows an assortment of short clips (did they get this stuff off youtube or what?). The resolution, blown up so big, is terrible... and the shorts range anyway from absurd to disturbing. Usually, they tie in to the movie you are about to watch.

The place is pretty hip and swanky. You'll be sure to hear My Bloody Valentine or the Pixies playing in the background. They have some cool classic movie posters hanging up. The bar looks nice! Sometimes Cinebarre has other activities going on... free films projected outdoors... Halo 3 tournaments... Sunday Night football. Check out their website, myspace page, or sign up for their newsletter.

PROS: The best place to watch movies in Asheville. Way better food options.

CONS: Not cheap. High-end movie ticket prices... restaurant prices on the food.

Great idea, poor execution. Neither the food nor the movie presentation were outstanding. I would hope that one of the two would be great but that is not the case. Regarding Lori O.'s review, I think part of the problem with hearing everyone talk during the movie is that the sound was way too low. Also, they are talking because they're not filling their mouths with great food or drinks. The wine list was boring. Why not focus on some great local wine and beer?

While the servers were very nice, they expect you to pay before the movie is over. This means that everyone is hunting around for their wallets during the best part of the movie. My advice, go get a yummy dinner THEN go see a movie. Or try Brew And View. They've got it together, but that may also be because they have had lots more practice.

I went for the dollar movie on a Sunday. BE WARNED, get there early because the line can get lonnnngggggg. I didn't have any food so I can't say, but I think they have a full bar. I liked the original short they played before the movie.

WATCH OUT FOR THE HOT WATER IN THE BATHROOMS.

I wish I could give it a 3.5, but a 3 it is.

Being from Austin and being a Alamo Drafthouse devotee, I certainly know what to expect from dinner + movie establishments and this comes close. The massively wacky, cult-classic film posters adoring the lobby totally bring that Drafthouse vibe. Anyone going to a place that sells alcohol during their films should expect a certain amount of adult atmosphere.

The service was great and operated with minimal interruption to the film. The paper towel holder under the bars is a great idea that the Drafthouse should think of implementing. The drinks were well made and gave me a good buzz for the price.

The film was a little quiet, however, the menu is this places weak point. Everything on the menu was roughly the same price, even the appetizers. Which I found odd. My favorite thing to order at the ol' Drafthouse were their salads and Cinebarre's non-fried, non-burger, non-pizza offerings are slim to none. So, in short - this might be more of a 'drink and a movie' place than a 'meal and movie place', methinks....

As of right now Cinebarre is closed, but we are holding out hope that they reopen once the Asheville Outlets construction is finished. Cheap movies, $3 during the week and $1 on Sunday's. The food is a bit pricey, but the affordable cost of the movies makes it hurt the wallet a little less. During the summer the theater plays free outdoor movies once a week, generally 80's cult classics.

I hope Cinebarre comes back!

Ashevilleblog.com

I love the way this place looks, I LOVE the old movie posters. The concept is a cool idea, but not for people who have hearing and smell sensitives. I can't stand regular movie theaters because people opening candy, rattling wrappers, etc. (I know, I'm a bit crazy). But the person sitting a couple seats down from me got some food, smelt like fish covered in buffalo sauce (it was gag worthy) and she was a open mouth chewer. Oh man, it was gross and super distracting.

We saw Rocky Horror. This is going to sound mean, and I totally don't mean it to, but if you're a Rocky Horror veteran and have gone to several different shows, avoid this one. You will be disappointed and pretty frustrated. If you're a virgin, this is probably a good show for you but reach out and look for some other ones to attend.

Watching a Kevin Costner movie on my iPhone and eating a salad made of grass and hay would be a better movie and dinner experience than Cinebarre.

I saw a movie and ate here last week. The burger I got was the biggest piece of crap I've ever tasted. Dry, no taste, and not fresh. The menu said it comes with chipotle mayo on it... guess their cook forgot to put that on?! I tried to spread ketchup and mayo on the burger with the soggy fries since they didn't give me a knife.

About 6 months ago I ordered chicken tenders... they also were terrible. Rubbery and tasteless. How can you ruin chicken tenders?

The food is way overpriced especially for how awful it is. I suggest you stay away from the food here. Unless you are seeing a horror movie and want your food to match the genre.

Arabica says it all. I needn't write much more other than to say this: the "Brew and View" has been offering great food, good beer and cheep movies for over a decade...if you are going to be entrepreneurial and come to Asheville to make a Cinema that offers food, do it well and make it affordable.

Cinebarre does nothing to help itself. The food is nasty and pricey. The screens are still the old crappy screens from the United Artist theater that used to reside here (back when Asheville only had Beaucatcher, Carmike and the "new" Hollywood Theater). The seats are bad, the lighting horrible and the sound "meh".

Don't waste your time at this money trap.