New York, NY - Everything you need to know about NYC’s new luxury movie theater

posted by ThrHistoricalSociety on September 23, 2016 at 3:07 am

From Time Out NY: When it comes to movie theaters, NYC doesn’t exactly have an embarrassment of riches. We’ve all sat in theaters with broken air conditioners, taped-up screens and incompetent concessions employees. But with chain theater admission dropping, a new generation of dine-in theaters are popping up to reclaim the cinematic experience. Before Alamo Drafthouse and a second Nitehawk Cinema arrive in Brooklyn next year, Manhattan’s South Street Seaport will launch the city’s first iPic theater on October 7.

Opening concurrently with the swanky new Fulton Market, the iPic will feature 500-seats in eight theaters, with built in tables and aisles for “ninja-trained waitresses” to flash down during the movie. But unlike its Brooklyn competitors, iPics reserves in-movie ordering and wait services for “premium plus” seats ($29), while premium seats ($14) must carry in snacks from the concession stand like peasants. The premium plus option features unlimited popcorn, a full for-pay menu of contemporary American food designed by Chef Sherry Yard and drinks by Adam Serger; along with leather seats, pillows and blankets. Premium plus guests can even summon waitresses with a button, like the ones on airplanes that flight attendants hate. That said, lowly premium purchasers aren’t totally screwed: they’ll still be able to recline, and can pick from a range of “gourmet popcorns,” old-school movie candies and drinks at the concession stand.

To patrons of Nitehawk, where in-movie table service always applies, this division may seem pretty ridiculous. But for fans who want to have leather seats and a guarantee of a classy night with their favorite movies, iPic may offer an ideal treat-yourself experience. We can’t wait to see the competition among artisanal theaters go to the next level.

iPic opens on Thursday October 6, with movie screenings starting on the Friday the 7th.

Link to the story: https://www.timeout.com/newyork/blog/everything-you-need-to-know-about-nycs-new-luxury-movie-theater-092216

ABOUT THEATRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA: Founded by Ben Hall in 1969, the Theatre Historical Society of America (THS) celebrates, documents and promotes the architectural, cultural and social relevance of America’s historic theatres. Through its preservation of the collections in the American Theatre Architecture Archive, its signature publication Marquee™ and Conclave Theatre Tour, THS increases awareness, appreciation and scholarly study of America’s theatres.

Learn more about historic theatres in the THS American Theatre Architecture Archives and on our website at historictheatres.org