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Inside Nitehawk Cinema, Williamsburg's New First Run Movie Theater, Restaurant
By
John Del Signore
Published Jun 24, 2011
Modified Jun 24, 2011
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By
John Del Signore
Published Jun 24, 2011
Modified Jun 24, 2011
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At long last, residents of North Brooklyn can take in quality, first run movies without suffering the indignity of crawling to Manhattan. The hotly-anticipated triplex Nitehawk Cinema opens TONIGHT on Metropolitan Avenue with Midnight in Paris, Submarine and The Trip. Tickets cost $11, and it goes without saying you should buy in advance online, because this joint is filling a huge void and will be slammed. But even if your precious picture show is sold out, Nitehawk seems like it's worth a visit for the cafe alone, because the owners shrewdly hired acclaimed Brooklyn chef Saul Bolton, the man behind the eponymous Saul in Boerum Hill and The Vanderbilt in Prospect Heights.
Bolton's full-service restaurant and bar on the ground floor of Nitehawk serves a variety of small plates like a seasonal selection housemade pickles and cheese empanadas (3 for $15); a Watermelon salad with watermelon, jicama and mint ($10-12); and entrees including burgers, fish tacos and BBQ Pork Belly steamed buns with "a spicy hoisin sauce." Within the theaters themselves, you can order upscale concessions including the Nitehawk Queso with black beans, chorizo, guac and tortilla chips ($4-10); homemade jerky; a "Nutter Butter" sandwich with peanut butter, honey, sea salt, and pretzels; and, of course, hot buttered popcorn (and a special "popcorn of the week.")
Tragically, state law prohibits the consumption of alcohol in the theater, but the movies will be seated early to allow time for patrons to enjoy a meal before the lights dim. As we noted in April, there are small tables conveniently arranged between each seat, and if you want anything else during the screening, you can write down your order and place it in a little coil to summon the server. Because this is Williamsburg, and your all-consuming mouth should never be deprived for a moment!
Tagged
brooklyn
first run movies
gallery
movie theater
nitehawk cinema
williamsburg
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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