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Alamo Drafthouse Is FINALLY Coming To Manhattan
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 6, 2018
Modified Sep 6, 2018
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Scott Heins/Gothamist
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 6, 2018
Modified Sep 6, 2018
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Six years after first announcing they would open a theater in Manhattan, the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will finally break ground on their latest NYC location. In 2012, they announced they would open in the former Metro Theater (at 2626 Broadway) on the Upper West Side, but those plans eventually fell through. Now the chain will be opening their first Manhattan location in the Financial District, at 28 Liberty, in 2019.
According to Alamo, the 12-screen theater will feature state-of-the art 4K laser projection and recliner seating, immersive surround sound, and 35mm changeover projection. And as with all of their locations, you can expect food and drinks, served up before, after, or during screenings. Similarly, they "will feature a diverse mix of blockbusters, indies, documentaries, foreign language films, repertory classics, and unique special events."
One added touch coming to the Lower Manhattan spot will be a Video Vortex bar, which is essentially a video store offering free rentals. They explain:
Each of the new locations will also include local branches of Video Vortex, a bar concept that debuted earlier this year in Raleigh, North Carolina. First and foremost, Video Vortex is a neighborhood video store that features thousands of DVDs, Blu-rays, and even select VHS (along with rentable VHS players) curated by Alamo Drafthouse staff and the American Genre Film Archive. But unlike a traditional video store, rentals at both Video Vortex locations will be… free.
Kat Shuchter, Video Vortex manager, says, "So much of film history is not available on streaming platforms. We want to make our curated archive of film classics and obscurities available for the next generation of cinephiles." On the Not Free side of things, they'll also serve craft cocktails, wine, and have 48 local beers on tap. And you'll be able to purchase board games, collectibles, movies, and apparel there.
The Lower Manhattan location will take over two basement floors of 28 Liberty, according to Deadline, but if you want to get a view, head all the way upstairs before your screening for a drink at Manhatta.
Currently there is one other Alamo in the five boroughs, their Downtown Brooklyn location opened in 2016.
Tagged
alamo drafthouse
financial district
movie theater
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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