It’s Official: The Alamo Drafthouse Hits Los Angeles In 2018

If there's any justice in the universe, Tim League's Alamo Drafthouse empire (which, as you know, includes Mondo, Birth.Movies.Death., and an ever-expanding list of nationwide locations) will eventually reach all four corners of the globe. Today, we're getting one step closer to that beautiful eventuality: at long last, the Alamo Drafthouse will open the doors on its first Los Angeles location in 2018. 

Normally we might not run a press release in its entirety, but every last word here is worth reading, so you're getting it in full. Please enjoy the following:

Los Angeles, CA and Austin, TX --- June 8, 2017 --- The Ratkovich Company, in partnership with National Real Estate Advisors, Blue Vista Capital Management, and Alamo Drafthouse Cinema today announced the Austin-based theater chain will open its first Los Angeles theater at The Bloc, a 1.8 million square foot mixed-use destination at the hub of the city's retail, entertainment, financial, and sports center. Alamo Drafthouse Downtown is slated to open in 2018 as The Bloc completes its $180 million renovations bringing a vibrant, open-air, pedestrian-friendly, urban destination to Downtown Los Angeles.

“When we announced seven years ago that we would be embarking upon a plan of nationwide expansion, my primary goal was to open a theater in Los Angeles,” says Alamo Drafthouse Cinema founder and CEO Tim League.  “After many years of exhaustive searching and planning, we feel we have found the perfect home at The Bloc. Building a new audience for foreign language films, documentaries and independent movies is core to the Alamo brand, and this flagship theater will be ground zero for that effort.”

“Alamo Drafthouse is the perfect addition to The Bloc and to Downtown LA’s rapidly growing food and entertainment scene. It brings a fresh and unique take on the traditional movie-watching experience and will be a great compliment to the other retailers at The Bloc. The Bloc is a gathering place for all Angelenos, making it the place to be in Downtown LA.” said Wayne Ratkovich founder and president of The Ratkovich Company.

Alamo Drafthouse provides a unique cinematic experience with in-theater dining underpinning a heavily curated program of hand-picked blockbusters, highest-quality independent, foreign and documentary features and special event programming. It’s food and beverage offering is equally deliberate with a full menu offering food made from scratch and a heavy dose of the best local craft beers and cocktails. Alamo Drafthouse Downtown will be located on the second and third floors of the southwest corner of The Bloc, accessible from the Flower Street mid-block crossing and the fourth floor of the parking structure.

Alamo Drafthouse Downtown will have twelve screens and seat approximately 560 people for new release movies, independent, foreign and classic films, as well as an exhaustive slate of the Alamo's unique signature event programming. Each of the auditoriums will be equipped with state of the art 4K digital projection and amazing sound.  In addition to providing superior presentation, the Alamo eliminates the traditional front rows to ensure there's no bad seat in the house. The theater will also be equipped for 3D and archival 35mm projection.

In keeping with Alamo Drafthouse’s commitment to providing the best in-theater dining experience, the downtown LA destination will feature locally inspired and sourced food and drink. Moviegoers can order food and drinks from their seats while servers silently attend to them throughout the film. In addition to the twelve theaters, an adjoining bar will give fans the opportunity to discuss films over a plethora of local craft beers and cocktails.

Accessibility and integration with the city at large continues to be a priority for The Bloc and Alamo Drafthouse. Alamo Drafthouse Downtown will be conveniently accessed via the Blue, Expo, Purple and Red lines at the 7th Street Metro Center Station. Current Metro expansion connects Alamo Drafthouse Downtown to Santa Monica, Pasadena and the San Fernando Valley. The theater will offer four hours of free validated parking.. 

By delivering the best films, food and drinks, exceptional presentation, strict ad-free and no talking/no texting policies, Alamo Drafthouse strives to live up to Time Magazine’s claim of being the "Best Theater Ever."

To all of our Los Angeles-based readers and friends who've never had the opportunity to visit an Alamo Drafthouse - buckle up, buttercups. If I can speak personally for a moment: the Alamo Drafthouse was literally the first location I visited upon moving to Austin (first movie seen at a Drafthouse: Best Worst Movie), and I knew immediately that I'd never be willing to live in another city that didn't have one. If you love movies and love the theatergoing experience, you will love the Alamo Drafthouse. 

So, congrats to both the Alamo Drafthouse and to Los Angeles! We'll see you in 2018! You bring a willingness to not text or talk during movies, we'll bring the beer and the queso.

Stay tuned for more updates on the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown location as they roll in. Where would you guys like to see the next Drafthouse open?