The Alamo Drafthouse will open on May 6 with the premiere of “Captain America: Civil War.” The theater is located at 250 East Montecillo in west El Paso.
What makes Alamo Drafthouse different than other movie theaters is that it serves specialty food, offers a variety of craft beers and hosts events. Alamo Drafthouse is a Texas-based movie theater. The theaters have since spread throughout the country.
It is also known for having events related to movies such as filmmaker visits. “The Alamo Drafthouse will differ from other cinemas in that we will offer a variety of first-run features, while also getting classic films and special events like quote-alongs or sing-alongs,” said Oscar Garza, UTEP alum and creative associate for Alamo Drafthouse. The theater rooms are set up so that guests can be served food and drinks throughout the movie without being disturbed.
They can also stop to enjoy drinks at the Glass Half Full Bar, which will be located inside Alamo Drafthouse. “We have tables inside the theater, set in between the seats, and our servers, who are trained like ninjas, come into the theater dressed all in black and deliver the food right to your seat,” Garza said. “
That way, guests don’t have to miss a second of their movie and they can just enjoy every single minute.” For their premiere screening of “Captain America: Civil War,” Garza expects the crowd to be filled with comic book enthusiasts.
“We’re expecting people who are super excited to experience this highly anticipated film on a brand new theater that will be a completely different experience for El Paso,” Garza said. Along with new releases, Alamo Drafthouse will also show older movies such as “Alien” and “Back to the Future.”
Garza said he hopes guests have a unique time at the theater. “I hope they will never forget the experience of coming to watch a movie at the Alamo Drafthouse, and that they have a wonderful experience while watching a movie and enjoying a delicious meal,” Garza said.
Dunita Provencio, sophomore biological sciences major, said she is excited for the opening of the theater because she has never been to an Alamo Drafthouse before.
“I feel like we’re getting a lot more things, and I think it is what El Paso needs,” Provencio said. “I’ll be going to the ‘Captain America’ premiere, and I’m excited.” The Alamo Drafthouse will enforce rules related to age due to the nature of the theater. “
The age minimum is 6 to 17 years old, requires an adult, and no one under the age of 6, with the exception of Baby Day—the first showing of every film on Tuesday mornings and PG screenings, (they) can enter without an adult,” Garza said. “We do lower our age policy to 3 and up whenever we have a junior screening.”
Garza said he hopes that the different experience of watching movies at the Alamo Drafthouse will encourage moviegoers to come back to the theater.
The Alamo Drafthouse will be screening different movies until April 28 as part of their soft opening with food items and non-alcoholic beverages discounted 50 percent.
After the initial screening of “Captain America,” Alamo Drafthouse will begin offering student discounts of up to $1 off the regular ticket prices with valid student identification.
For more information about Alamo Drafthouse, call 845-7469 or visit their website at drafthouse.com. Julia Hettiger may be reached at [email protected].
