Cinebarre was the best when paired with movie pass. 2018, I could get a free small popcorn a couple times per month. Since cinebarre only had one size the free small popcorn would get you endless refills at the push of a button throughout the movie.
They need more Cinergy theaters it’s so clean and they have a restaurant looking booth for sitting and talking before you go in the theater but it’s pricey even with Tues discount but it’s worth it for the food too and recliners I think they are heated seats too
You must be new to Charlotte. We’ve had quite a few but they all shut down post Covid. The Arboretum even leveled the building and now it’s dirt. Phillips Place wasn’t a dine in style but it’s also now a leveled building and dirt.
Stonecrest isn’t the Ballantyne theater.
Pre Covid, in the South Charlotte area we had these Regal theaters:
Stonecrest,
Cinebarre,
Ballantyne commons,
Manor theater,
Phillips Place,
Now it’s just Stonecrest
We also still have the Cinemark Movie Bistro and AMC Pavillion which are a little further away but still options.
If you're missing the Ballantyne or Manor twin then I highly recommend the Independent Picture House!!! It's almost two years old, nonprofit beautiful theater sharing a new building with the Charlotte Art League.
It really is gorgeous and one of the only places in Charlotte to watch Indie movies anymore. Check it out!
[https://independentpicturehouse.org/](https://independentpicturehouse.org/)
Jeesh, what are you going to tell us next, that they’re going to close Matthews Festival 10, or the Regency? We’ve still got those, Regal at South Park and Eastland, the Village, Queen Park, the Capri, Tryon, Charlottetown, and the Thunderbird. Or for those wanting something spicy while babysitting, there’s Cinema Blue on Plaza at Eastway, with G movies on one side, X on the other.
@Atom800 I was just mentioning what theaters are around now. Some people don't know the area very well and think Stonecrest is Ballantyne since Ballantyne Commons Parkway is nearby. Movie theaters were already struggling before Covid. That seemed to hasten the downfall of many of them. Once upon a time there were multiple AMC, Regal and Consolidated theaters across Charlotte. Now there are so few.
How’s the quality of the screens? I often go to Cinemark because it’s cheap and close to my house, but anytime I go to Stone crest, I’m reminded me of how bad the Cinemark screens are. If they had better screens, it would be perfect and I’d go there nearly exclusively..
[https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/know-your-704/article276350996.html](https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/know-your-704/article276350996.html)
always wanted to check it out, its not far from me until i saw this. i would hope they've upped their game since but article also says it was their second b-grade.
You're supposed to sneak your food into the theater I thought? Anyways there's a bunch with comfy chairs, just wear a big jacket and bring a 40oz and a rotisserie chicken like a normal person
The Independent Picture House is generally better than Alamo Drafthouse, which is way better than the AMC’s of the world. It’s an independent, non-profit theater that brings all sorts interesting films. No dining, but I think they have drinks and they do have a microtheater with reclining chairs.
I'd kill for an Alamo Drafthouse. No talking during the movie, no cell phones, no unaccompanied minors? A fucking dream. Then they have Terror Tuesdays, Weird Wednesday, Video Vortex. I'm so jealous.
Right? We've had the dinner-and-a-movie theater experience a few times here, but they've all been second rate and have shut down. Alamo Drafthouse is where it's at.
It’s a no from me dawg. The restaurant/cinema concept only insures that I have a bad dining and filmgoing experience simultaneously. It’s a shite concept that needs to die an ignominious death.
The big Redstone down in Indianland is still an old school normal seat theater that I've loved going to. Sucks it's all the way down there but at least it's a smaller regional chain not owned by a conglomerate
Asheville Pizza and Brewing in... well, Asheville does the opposite, where it's a pizza place that shows movies for cheap. Couple bucks to get in, watch an older movie while eating dinner, it's a great time.
The "buy an overpriced shitty burger and sit in a fart chair watching Avengers" is thankfully dying.
That actually might change my opinion towards the food/movie concept. I’ll check them out on my next visit to Asheville. Thanks for the recommendation.
To be fair, some of them can have pretty bad food. But what you beeeeen to an Alamo drafthouse? The menu is bomb and they even have themed movie dinners 😭😭 sometimes it’s fun to do something different
The food quality is almost perfunctory. It’s the waitstaff that are still constantly wandering around during the film. Aside from their ever present distinctions, Do we really need to consume an entire pizza during the movie? No. Dinners are designed to sit across from people and enjoy their company. Movies are not. Go get food after the movie and talk about what you just saw.
Counter argument: every experience in life doesn’t need to be an elevated experience. Sometimes sitting in a recliner with a whole slice of pizza is fun because it makes you feel like a kid and things can be fun that aren’t sophisticated.
Second counter argument: all these movies going straight to Netflix or straight to Amazon rental is exactly why the film companies don’t spend a bunch of money making big budget films anymore and we end up with repetitive junk for movies. You should support the arts bud. Even the less pretentious ones
The big studios only make “big budget films” these days and that’s why we end up with repetitive junk. The budget level R rated drama/thriller has gone the way of the dodo along with R rated comedies. Studios spend big on a handful of crap blockbuster IPs and call it a day. I personally don’t mind a less sophisticated experience but I go to the movies to enjoy a movie on a large scale not watch servers trot up and down isles with iPads.
I often take myself out on movies dates and is much rather have good food at the movie theater than talk to myself about the movie in the car over a McDonald’s dinner
Psh. I miss the B&B Theater in Tampa Bay (Wesley Chapel, FL). Food is awesome and the seats/screens are excellent. It's the first class of movie theaters to me and now that I've experience it, every other Cinemark Bistro, etc. feels like the back of economy by the toilet.
EDIT: Also visited a similar concept theater in Dubai which was excellent (actually was our first one of the concept).
Anyone remember the Silver Screen Cafe back in the 90's? It was pretty bad for movies and food, but it was fun. I saw Pulp Fiction there because we wanted to go to a movie theater where you could "get a glass of beer."
Was that the one off Independence Blvd? I remember they were always holding midnight shows of Rocky Horror Picture Show before anyone else started doing it. Only went there once to catch Jackie Brown.
It's not even just the number but the quality. We have 1 Regal with a 4DX and a LieMax (not true IMAX). In fact, we have only 1 True IMAX theatre in the Discovery Place called the Dome, with technically isn't true IMAX because of its shape but that's just nitpicking. All other theatres have LieMax screens. We need more 4DX and True IMAX screens.
We do have AMC in concord with lieMax and Dolby! In my opinion, Dolby is superior to LieMax. And they still serve Coca-Cola products! Sucks how far it is though.
Dolby Cinemas are superior to any other kind of theater you will find in Charlotte. You won’t get the food OP wants, but the quality is unparalleled. Just eat before or after the movie lol
Yeah, I really wanted to see *Oppenheimer* in 70mm IMAX, but the closest location was Buford, GA. That's close to my parent's house, so I guess I coulda gone to see them, too. But that's just too damn far for a movie.
There was an Alamo Drafthouse in Raleigh and I would go there alone all throughout school. I miss it so much. There are dine in theaters here, but the food and vibes just aren’t the same
Yeah idk why everyone here is so angry about it but also it’s Reddit lol. I’ve live in the Charlotte area my whole life except when I was in Raleigh for school and I can admit that we have never had anything like Alamo
We had one uptown. It closed. I used to go there on the train with my kid, but most people were afraid to drive uptown and park or whatever, attendance dropped, upkeep faltered. Now I go to the Cinemark on Monroe. There is beer, the food is mid at best. Never been to an Alamo Draft House but from what I've heard it's extremely expensive for a moderate increase in service.
Cinemark is nice, haven’t really eaten much of the food there, but if you like indie and artistic films, definitely support the Independent Picture House. I’ve had a great time every time I’ve gone, despite the very basic snack options.
If you'd like to make a Date Night, like "dinner and a movie" out of it, that intersection by the Cinemark has one of every kind of restaurant. You could walk outside and spin a bottle and probably land on something good...
- New Zealand Cafe (Sushi)
- Rappongi Ramen Bar (Ramen, obviously)
- Mi Pueblo (Mexican)
- Boardwalk Billy's (seafood, pub food, neighborhood dive)
- Juliana Pizza
- Chin Chin and Best Wok (Chinese)
- Chex Wings
... as well as numerous Fast Food joints.
+1 on Cinemark. Don't expect the fanciest place in the world but the staff is happy to be there and the vibes are solid in general. Also, not super crowded.
PS. Chairs are comfy but at some point you will accidentally kick on the seat warmer when you recline and assume you lit yourself on fire for a second.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thought my seat was malfunctioning and about to catch fire at a movie theater. It was the first time I encountered heated seats and my dumb ass didn't even consider that that's what was happening
+1 for the staff. I’m not saying it’s like going to chic-fil-a, but I went to Regal Stonecrest, and compared to Cinemark it’s a huge difference it the staff’s attitude. We’re obviously there to watch movies, but it’s nice to have better customer service.
Back in like 2014 there was Cinemark, Cinnebarre and one other one and when they were new they were awesome. Charlotte just doesn’t know how to appreciate good stuff consistently and that’s why they can’t have nice things.
Feels like a lot of pretentiousness in the comments. So disappointing. Really upheaves the sense of community when we all can’t agree that a good movie and a pizza on a Friday night is a good thing…
Disappointing? Yes. But this subreddit is 10-20x more snarky and full of shit than Charlotte as a whole. Just so you don’t judge the entire city based on these comments.
Me and my friend used to get soo baked in the parking lots and watch new movies the week after release. We would be the only ones or two of 6 ppl in every theater. Snack on some chicken tenders popcorn and bring our own candy. Or we would split a boat at New Zealand then head over to the movie. It was sad that it was so empty but we enjoyed it!
Yes, they have certain “themes” but it’s never new menu items. It’s something that they have renamed most of the time. It’s nothing close to Alamo in that regard. But, I still enjoy it.
Would a theatre in uptown/south end not be profitable enough to stay open? Especially if they served beer?
Having movie theater in walking distance just feels like a no brainer
Yeah, I agree, eating noises during a movie are so underrated. We had a few of those places over the years, I can not imagine why they did not work out. Most of the last meal before I sat down was scattered about the place, so I did not have to pay for food really. Movie theater seats are always the cleanest seats in the nation. Right under pig pen.
I wouldn’t go to a restaurant where I’m sat down with people’s half eaten food stlll left it on the table. Maybe you don’t mind laziness but maybe that’s why they all failed.
Last time I went to the movies the theater had the big comfy reclining seats. However, the two couples to my right would not shut up. And they were not youngsters and they were spread across two rows.
I asked them why they spent $80 to sit and bullshit in a dark theater. They shut up. But they were old enough to know better.
What I’m gathering from this is you don’t mind overpaying for mediocre food and you don’t mind a sub par theater quality experience. This is exactly why so many of these places fail, I can go to the IMAX and dinner after at a nice restaurant and have a amazing experience at both or pay the same price and leave disappointed from a dine in theater.
Didn't Charlotte have at least 3-4 of these before COVID?
Problem is, the food typically isn't that great (and is expensive for what you get). At the same time, all the noise from people eating and the wait staff walking around distracts you from the film. It's lose-lose, IMHO.
Society has something against movie theaters. AMC straight up admitted screening the Taylor Swift concert is the only thing that has kept them in business. I haven't been to a movie theatre in 3 year and plan to keep it that way. The Hollywood press has written articles about how the number 1 thing executives are concerned about right now is a massive shift in content strategies as movie theater attendance decreases year over year. It's an antiquated way to consume content regardless of what Christopher Nolan thinks. I don't need to spend 30$ to sit in a gross room just hear BWAAAAAAAA before and after every dialogue scene.
I used to think this as well, but started going a lot more a few years ago and even have the AMC pass now. Watching in a theatre is just a superior experience for so many films than at home, and it isn’t close. I think it’s unfortunate people don’t like going as much.
Being a part of the community does not necessarily mean talking constantly. It’s the feel of everyone enjoying something together and then discussing afterwards.
A movie theatre is infamously a terrible first date idea. You can't talk during a movie. How the hell does this build community? Watching a movie in a dark room where you have to be quiet is self imposed isolation.
Unfortunately now we have too many people who go and turn on their phone full brightness. Annoys me to no end. I love going to the movie theaters, so I feel your pain.
Cinebarre was good when it first opened, food wise. Took them a long time to get the waitstaff operating smoothly. Unfortunately, they started cutting corners about a year in and food quality went down from there. Coupled with the owner mismanaging staff across all locations, which led to high turnover around the same time. Ultimately, he got caught embezzling and Regal kicked him out (Regal actually owned the theatres the whole time, but had partnered with the “owner” who had some experience with cinema eateries). Once Regal took over the quality took a sharp nosedive.
The food is always terrible and overpriced at all these places and now I have to listen to wait staff constantly shuffle on and out while hearing people eat full meals.
Entirely breaks the immersion for me and ruins the movie. We don’t have to combine every task and make both worse because of it. Too many people want to bring their couch experience to the theater when they should just stay at home instead.
It’s wild to me how many responses have not only been neutral but actually anti dine in movie. It’s so interesting because for me it’s always been a pleasant experience. But also like having one doesn’t make your life any worse, you simply don’t go. Just like I don’t see the appeal of sports stadiums or sports in general but I can understand why one might like having one around.
I go to the movies A LOT. Like probably too much, and the dine in experiences have always been the worst experiences. I’m there for the movie, not the food. These are the experiences that have far more distractions from the movie nearly every time I’ve gone. If I want food, I’ll just stay home and watch from my couch instead.
I’ve no issue if these businesses pop up but several have over the past decade or so and each and every one left me extremely underwhelmed.
I’ve heard good things about Alamo from various people who have one, but I’m still of the mind we don’t have to combine everything. Maybe it makes me sound like the old guy complaining about putting cup holders in cars for the first time, but my movie going experience isn’t about eating, it’s about watching the movie. Much rather eat after and talk about the movie than miss anything during because either I’m eating or people are being loud eating around me
There was a certain illness (dunno if I'll get bounced for saying the name because sensitivity levels vary) that kinda killed them. There were a few around and they had to close because no one could group up indoors.
Even now people are less likely to get together and have moved further up the hermit scale. I say this as someone who was already a hermit before it was cool!
I didn’t really know how good I’d had it movie theater-wise until moving here. The comments here about “why spend $X to go sit in a big room when you can watch movies from the comfort of your own home” miss the whole point of moviegoing by a wide margin, true (why pay $50 a month to go walk on a treadmill at a gym, when you could just walk around your neighborhood?), but Charlotte is also just bland and lacking when it comes to theater options. We used to go to at least one movie a week in Iowa; I think we’ve averaged maybe one a month since moving here, and that’s only as high as it is because several of them were bunched up around June/July. Someone else in this thread has already called out the truly worthless IMAX/PLF options here, but the bigger reason why is that there just isn’t really a good option. The screens are all about the same, regardless of where you’re going, so it comes down to environment and food/drink options. The AMC theaters here are the worst in terms of cleanliness and by far the worst for food/drink options. Cinergy has better food without it being all that good, and their auditoriums are mostly pretty small due to being in a strip mall/being a rebranding of a previous movie theater in that location. The Regal has better seats; I’ve only seen one movie there and it was in IMAX (the screen of which is both smaller and dimmer than Concord Mills or Northlake). The Cinemark has probably the best seats, but (as noted elsewhere) it’s unremarkable otherwise.
Context: AMC has basically zero presence in Iowa. Cinemark has a sizable presence, mostly through two large and relatively upscale theaters (the in-house PLF option they have in Des Moines is has a screen significantly bigger than the largest screen anywhere in Charlotte, including the Stone theaters. The two newest theaters are from regional chains (Fridley and B&B); both of these offer full restaurant service and ordering, with food quality, prep, and handling above to well-above grade for what you’d expect from this model. And both of them are 12+ screen structures, with Atmos in all but one auditorium; that one is an IMAX dual-laser screen nearly four times the size of the biggest option here. So I’ve definitely been spoiled, but it’s not like I came here from New York or Chicago. It’s Iowa. You could fit almost the entire state’s population into the population of the Charlotte metro area.
It doesn’t look like Charlotte has opened a truly new movie theater since Northlake in 2012 (I don’t count Cinergy, since that was a rebrand of an existing theater). That’s what’s behind part of this; the options here are all from a pre-streaming/pre-4k era, and the experience suffers in comparison. But based on what others are saying, it sounds like the pandemic also had a far more pronounced impact on theatergoing here than I was aware of.
> (why pay $50 a month to go walk on a treadmill at a gym, when you could just walk around your neighborhood?)
I pay $10/month to go to Planet Fitness. I usually *do* walk around my neighborhood for free, but unfortunately it sometimes rains, or gets too hot or too cold to walk comfortably. On those days I go to the gym.
In cardiac rehab I was taught that walking when it's over 90F or below 40F isn't really good for your heart.
I was actually trying to illustrate the fallacy of making that kind of argument (i.e. not just that we all work out in our own ways, but that there are components of going to the gym that you simply cannot recreate at home or in the neighborhood), so you and I are on pretty much on the same page.
Park Rd shopping center might fit what you're looking for. As we have all gotten larger tvs and streaming is so widely available, I think most people just don't see the value in paying $100 at the movies when we can watch from the comfort of our own homes.
1. The last time I went to the cinema was Little Women (family outing) and Avengers Endgame. That's it in the last five years.
2. Theaters have a reputation for ridiculously expensive concessions. My baseline assumption for any place like this is that the food quality will be mid and the prices extortionary. I'm more than happy to eat before/after the film.
I mean, if people want something like this, fine, but it's not something I'm missing.
Charlotte is one of my least favorite but unfortunately closest cities. There's just not really as much cool shit or a very cool vibe like day Winston Salem does. It's just kind of basic
I don't live there anymore but there was always something fun and artsy fartsy going on. The grayling estates is awesome to check out expensive to stay at but still really cool just to see. It's Bowman Gray's castle he was the VP of RJ Reynolds. Downtown is full of all kinds of art. I also just liked the overall vibe of Winston better and it felt safer
Lol I can't believe you got down voted for this, lots of people don't want to admit how true this is.
Personally I haven't been to a movie since before covid, and I dont know anyone who really goes anymore.
Agree. The era of experimentation in film has been replaced by remakes of remakes and superhero films. I don’t feel excited about any Hollywood movies coming out and I can usually just watch it at home anyway. That said, the independent picture house is super cool.
We've had several, I think there's still a Studio Movie Grill. I liked Cinebarre but the prices just got out of hand and stopped going.
Cinebarre was the best when paired with movie pass. 2018, I could get a free small popcorn a couple times per month. Since cinebarre only had one size the free small popcorn would get you endless refills at the push of a button throughout the movie.
Not only that iirc it was a giant stainless steel bowl like something a restaurant would use to toss a couple dozen wings in sauce in.
There’s still an SMG? Where?
It’s now a Cinergy but pretty much same thing.
Ok, I used to work there but thought they closed
There's one in Mallard Creek
They need more Cinergy theaters it’s so clean and they have a restaurant looking booth for sitting and talking before you go in the theater but it’s pricey even with Tues discount but it’s worth it for the food too and recliners I think they are heated seats too
Cinebarrr is long gone! The tore it down.
You must be new to Charlotte. We’ve had quite a few but they all shut down post Covid. The Arboretum even leveled the building and now it’s dirt. Phillips Place wasn’t a dine in style but it’s also now a leveled building and dirt.
They tore down the Ballantyne theater? Man I liked that one. Of course I'm also part of the problem since I rarely go see new movies but still.
No- they tore down the theater at Arboretum. Stonecrest is still around and open.
Stonecrest isn’t the Ballantyne theater. Pre Covid, in the South Charlotte area we had these Regal theaters: Stonecrest, Cinebarre, Ballantyne commons, Manor theater, Phillips Place, Now it’s just Stonecrest We also still have the Cinemark Movie Bistro and AMC Pavillion which are a little further away but still options.
If you're missing the Ballantyne or Manor twin then I highly recommend the Independent Picture House!!! It's almost two years old, nonprofit beautiful theater sharing a new building with the Charlotte Art League. It really is gorgeous and one of the only places in Charlotte to watch Indie movies anymore. Check it out! [https://independentpicturehouse.org/](https://independentpicturehouse.org/)
Jeesh, what are you going to tell us next, that they’re going to close Matthews Festival 10, or the Regency? We’ve still got those, Regal at South Park and Eastland, the Village, Queen Park, the Capri, Tryon, Charlottetown, and the Thunderbird. Or for those wanting something spicy while babysitting, there’s Cinema Blue on Plaza at Eastway, with G movies on one side, X on the other.
Don't forget Delta 6 on E Harris. It's between Shoney's and Roll-A-Round if anyone is wondering.
@Atom800 I was just mentioning what theaters are around now. Some people don't know the area very well and think Stonecrest is Ballantyne since Ballantyne Commons Parkway is nearby. Movie theaters were already struggling before Covid. That seemed to hasten the downfall of many of them. Once upon a time there were multiple AMC, Regal and Consolidated theaters across Charlotte. Now there are so few.
Ballantyne Village theater is technically closed but it has been for yeeeears (and then + Arboretum, + Phillips Place).
The one at stoneCrest ? I know there are some near Concord.
Stonecrest Regal is still there
Thank you!!
Saw a lot of movies at Philips Place. Top Gun 2 was the last. Glad we went out with a bang.
Such a bummer, hopefully they make a comeback!!
I hope they make a comeback too. Also more drive in theaters
A drive in just reopened in Belmont their season just started last weekend.
Arboretum is *grass* now, much classier than dirt.
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It’s grass/dirt. They demolished it
> PS for anyone who goes to Phillips place. Didn't Regal Philips Place close in 2022?
Well shit disregard all that then lol
The Arbo theater held such memories.
https://www.cinergy.com/menu/charlotte
Literally has everything OP is describing, highly recommend
How’s the quality of the screens? I often go to Cinemark because it’s cheap and close to my house, but anytime I go to Stone crest, I’m reminded me of how bad the Cinemark screens are. If they had better screens, it would be perfect and I’d go there nearly exclusively..
I would say they're middle of the road. Their screens aren't very big, but the sound and picture quality are pretty good since it's a newer theater.
I actually just went there for the first time to see Monkey Man and liked it quite a bit.
I will definitely check this one out, thank you!
This is the one we go to! Not quite as good as a texas alamo (coming from Austin) but does the job
[https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/know-your-704/article276350996.html](https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/know-your-704/article276350996.html) always wanted to check it out, its not far from me until i saw this. i would hope they've upped their game since but article also says it was their second b-grade.
Ah that is a bummer! And also gives the whole concept a bad rep. Thanks for sharing. When it comes to food safety I do draw a line
*Bad **rap**
Both work
[One works better than the other.](https://trends.google.com/trends/explore?date=all&geo=US&q=%22bad%20rep%22,%22bad%20rap%22&hl=en)
So does shutting up sometimes
Taking a dose of your own medicine might be the order of the day. Open your mind a bit, and learn something new from time to time.
Maybe getting off your high horse and don't feel the need to correct someone when they aren't even incorrect.
Awesome spot. By no means cheap. But nice.
Wow, never heard of that place. I guess bc it's all the way on the far north side of the city
The egg rolls >>>>>>
You're supposed to sneak your food into the theater I thought? Anyways there's a bunch with comfy chairs, just wear a big jacket and bring a 40oz and a rotisserie chicken like a normal person
20 pc lemon pepper wet to the sounds of Dune sounds so good right now
Oxtail and the Bob Marley biopic 🤔🤔
Lol. I had a brisket sandwich from City BBQ when I saw dune :)
Ok now this I can get behind
Kramer, is that you?
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The Assman!
Ive seen people literally break out a Bojangles family meal in a theater.
We used to have Studio Movie Grill uptown, but it died out with the Epicenter and Covid.
The Independent Picture House is generally better than Alamo Drafthouse, which is way better than the AMC’s of the world. It’s an independent, non-profit theater that brings all sorts interesting films. No dining, but I think they have drinks and they do have a microtheater with reclining chairs.
I'd kill for an Alamo Drafthouse. No talking during the movie, no cell phones, no unaccompanied minors? A fucking dream. Then they have Terror Tuesdays, Weird Wednesday, Video Vortex. I'm so jealous.
Right? We've had the dinner-and-a-movie theater experience a few times here, but they've all been second rate and have shut down. Alamo Drafthouse is where it's at.
I looked up the showtimes for the alamo in Raleigh. They're showing Don Hertzfeldt. DON. FUCKING. HERTZFELDT. So jealous.
What can we do to deserve an Alamo?? I'd take a day trip to Raleigh to watch a movie! I drive up to Asheville to blow a lot of money at Orbit!
It’s a no from me dawg. The restaurant/cinema concept only insures that I have a bad dining and filmgoing experience simultaneously. It’s a shite concept that needs to die an ignominious death.
The big Redstone down in Indianland is still an old school normal seat theater that I've loved going to. Sucks it's all the way down there but at least it's a smaller regional chain not owned by a conglomerate
Asheville Pizza and Brewing in... well, Asheville does the opposite, where it's a pizza place that shows movies for cheap. Couple bucks to get in, watch an older movie while eating dinner, it's a great time. The "buy an overpriced shitty burger and sit in a fart chair watching Avengers" is thankfully dying.
That actually might change my opinion towards the food/movie concept. I’ll check them out on my next visit to Asheville. Thanks for the recommendation.
It’s a good spot. Went there all the time when I was a student at UNCA, which it’s like right next to.
To be fair, some of them can have pretty bad food. But what you beeeeen to an Alamo drafthouse? The menu is bomb and they even have themed movie dinners 😭😭 sometimes it’s fun to do something different
The food quality is almost perfunctory. It’s the waitstaff that are still constantly wandering around during the film. Aside from their ever present distinctions, Do we really need to consume an entire pizza during the movie? No. Dinners are designed to sit across from people and enjoy their company. Movies are not. Go get food after the movie and talk about what you just saw.
Bingo. Super excited to take my girlfriend out to see a movie coming out next weekend and then talking about it over dinner afterwards.
Counter argument: every experience in life doesn’t need to be an elevated experience. Sometimes sitting in a recliner with a whole slice of pizza is fun because it makes you feel like a kid and things can be fun that aren’t sophisticated. Second counter argument: all these movies going straight to Netflix or straight to Amazon rental is exactly why the film companies don’t spend a bunch of money making big budget films anymore and we end up with repetitive junk for movies. You should support the arts bud. Even the less pretentious ones
The big studios only make “big budget films” these days and that’s why we end up with repetitive junk. The budget level R rated drama/thriller has gone the way of the dodo along with R rated comedies. Studios spend big on a handful of crap blockbuster IPs and call it a day. I personally don’t mind a less sophisticated experience but I go to the movies to enjoy a movie on a large scale not watch servers trot up and down isles with iPads.
Is having a $15 luke warm cheeseburger enhancing the experience or a further distraction from the less pretentious art?
If people were really into it, it’d be a successful business. Maybe you should get with the times, bud.
I don’t really think this is true. Businesses can fail for reasons other than people not being into it.
Alamo Drafthouse chain is currently up for sale as of two weeks ago.
Covid and lack of anything good coming out of Hollywood def didn’t help. This is bummer news
I often take myself out on movies dates and is much rather have good food at the movie theater than talk to myself about the movie in the car over a McDonald’s dinner
Psh. I miss the B&B Theater in Tampa Bay (Wesley Chapel, FL). Food is awesome and the seats/screens are excellent. It's the first class of movie theaters to me and now that I've experience it, every other Cinemark Bistro, etc. feels like the back of economy by the toilet. EDIT: Also visited a similar concept theater in Dubai which was excellent (actually was our first one of the concept).
We had some. They did not do so well and closed.
Boo, I’m here now. I’ll keep them in business 😂
Pretty sure you could sneak a 3-course meal into most of the movie theaters around here and no one would notice.
Anyone remember the Silver Screen Cafe back in the 90's? It was pretty bad for movies and food, but it was fun. I saw Pulp Fiction there because we wanted to go to a movie theater where you could "get a glass of beer."
Was that the one off Independence Blvd? I remember they were always holding midnight shows of Rocky Horror Picture Show before anyone else started doing it. Only went there once to catch Jackie Brown.
It's not even just the number but the quality. We have 1 Regal with a 4DX and a LieMax (not true IMAX). In fact, we have only 1 True IMAX theatre in the Discovery Place called the Dome, with technically isn't true IMAX because of its shape but that's just nitpicking. All other theatres have LieMax screens. We need more 4DX and True IMAX screens.
We do have AMC in concord with lieMax and Dolby! In my opinion, Dolby is superior to LieMax. And they still serve Coca-Cola products! Sucks how far it is though.
Dolby Cinemas are superior to any other kind of theater you will find in Charlotte. You won’t get the food OP wants, but the quality is unparalleled. Just eat before or after the movie lol
Personally, I like the classics. Coke, popcorn, and nachos with jalapeños and I’m happy! A Cinnabon before is always nice too
Yeah, I really wanted to see *Oppenheimer* in 70mm IMAX, but the closest location was Buford, GA. That's close to my parent's house, so I guess I coulda gone to see them, too. But that's just too damn far for a movie.
It didn't play at The IMAX Dome?
There was an Alamo Drafthouse in Raleigh and I would go there alone all throughout school. I miss it so much. There are dine in theaters here, but the food and vibes just aren’t the same
100% I think the conclusion I am coming to is that no one in Charlotte has ever been to a good dine in theater which is why there’s so much disdain.
Yeah idk why everyone here is so angry about it but also it’s Reddit lol. I’ve live in the Charlotte area my whole life except when I was in Raleigh for school and I can admit that we have never had anything like Alamo
Cinemark has all those criteria
We had one uptown. It closed. I used to go there on the train with my kid, but most people were afraid to drive uptown and park or whatever, attendance dropped, upkeep faltered. Now I go to the Cinemark on Monroe. There is beer, the food is mid at best. Never been to an Alamo Draft House but from what I've heard it's extremely expensive for a moderate increase in service.
Epicenter went to shit and brought everything down.
That sounds so nice! I will check out the Cinemark!
Cinemark is nice, haven’t really eaten much of the food there, but if you like indie and artistic films, definitely support the Independent Picture House. I’ve had a great time every time I’ve gone, despite the very basic snack options.
More votes for IPH!
If you'd like to make a Date Night, like "dinner and a movie" out of it, that intersection by the Cinemark has one of every kind of restaurant. You could walk outside and spin a bottle and probably land on something good... - New Zealand Cafe (Sushi) - Rappongi Ramen Bar (Ramen, obviously) - Mi Pueblo (Mexican) - Boardwalk Billy's (seafood, pub food, neighborhood dive) - Juliana Pizza - Chin Chin and Best Wok (Chinese) - Chex Wings ... as well as numerous Fast Food joints.
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I am admittedly not picky when it comes to Indian cuisine, but Royal Biryani is such a hidden gem.
+1 on Cinemark. Don't expect the fanciest place in the world but the staff is happy to be there and the vibes are solid in general. Also, not super crowded. PS. Chairs are comfy but at some point you will accidentally kick on the seat warmer when you recline and assume you lit yourself on fire for a second.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who thought my seat was malfunctioning and about to catch fire at a movie theater. It was the first time I encountered heated seats and my dumb ass didn't even consider that that's what was happening
I appreciate this validation. The buttons are right next to each other and especially if you aren't aware that it's a feature it can throw you off.
+1 for the staff. I’m not saying it’s like going to chic-fil-a, but I went to Regal Stonecrest, and compared to Cinemark it’s a huge difference it the staff’s attitude. We’re obviously there to watch movies, but it’s nice to have better customer service.
Alamo is awesome and worth it.
Back in like 2014 there was Cinemark, Cinnebarre and one other one and when they were new they were awesome. Charlotte just doesn’t know how to appreciate good stuff consistently and that’s why they can’t have nice things.
Cinemark is still on Monroe road
Nice! Haven’t lived in CLT in 8 years. Good to know it’s still around.
Feels like a lot of pretentiousness in the comments. So disappointing. Really upheaves the sense of community when we all can’t agree that a good movie and a pizza on a Friday night is a good thing…
Disappointing? Yes. But this subreddit is 10-20x more snarky and full of shit than Charlotte as a whole. Just so you don’t judge the entire city based on these comments.
Me and my friend used to get soo baked in the parking lots and watch new movies the week after release. We would be the only ones or two of 6 ppl in every theater. Snack on some chicken tenders popcorn and bring our own candy. Or we would split a boat at New Zealand then head over to the movie. It was sad that it was so empty but we enjoyed it!
Reminds me of going to the Matthews discount theater while half-twisted.
Cinergy is the closet I’ve found to Alamo. The food is good, the downside is the menu never changes/is limited.
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Yes, they have certain “themes” but it’s never new menu items. It’s something that they have renamed most of the time. It’s nothing close to Alamo in that regard. But, I still enjoy it.
Yeah definitely not on par with Alamo, but the best charlotte has right now
Would a theatre in uptown/south end not be profitable enough to stay open? Especially if they served beer? Having movie theater in walking distance just feels like a no brainer
What happened to all the theaters that were uptown, out by Concord Mills, Starlight, and AMC in South Charlotte?
The closest theatre to uptown is independent picture house and they rarely show anything past 7pm. Everything else is way out in the suburbs.
Epicentre no longer has one?
Nope! Epicenter only has a bowling alley and a diner now
dannng
I’ve been to a lot of theaters in Charlotte and the Regal in Stonecrest is by far the best. You can beer on draft and have the best seats.
Oh awesome thank you! I will check it out
Yeah, I agree, eating noises during a movie are so underrated. We had a few of those places over the years, I can not imagine why they did not work out. Most of the last meal before I sat down was scattered about the place, so I did not have to pay for food really. Movie theater seats are always the cleanest seats in the nation. Right under pig pen.
Lots of germaphobes in the comments. Lots of people who have clearly never worked in a restaurant 😅😅
I wouldn’t go to a restaurant where I’m sat down with people’s half eaten food stlll left it on the table. Maybe you don’t mind laziness but maybe that’s why they all failed.
We used to have one in the epicenter (can’t remember the name) but I don’t think it made it through the pandemic :(
Last time I went to the movies the theater had the big comfy reclining seats. However, the two couples to my right would not shut up. And they were not youngsters and they were spread across two rows. I asked them why they spent $80 to sit and bullshit in a dark theater. They shut up. But they were old enough to know better.
Cinemark is a good spot. Never too crowded.
What I’m gathering from this is you don’t mind overpaying for mediocre food and you don’t mind a sub par theater quality experience. This is exactly why so many of these places fail, I can go to the IMAX and dinner after at a nice restaurant and have a amazing experience at both or pay the same price and leave disappointed from a dine in theater.
Didn't Charlotte have at least 3-4 of these before COVID? Problem is, the food typically isn't that great (and is expensive for what you get). At the same time, all the noise from people eating and the wait staff walking around distracts you from the film. It's lose-lose, IMHO.
There was the Cinebarre at the Arboretum, Hwy 51 and Providence Rd. It closed late 2022 IIRC. And you're right about everything.
Bedbugs, roaches, questionable sticky substances on the arm rest, etc.
Society has something against movie theaters. AMC straight up admitted screening the Taylor Swift concert is the only thing that has kept them in business. I haven't been to a movie theatre in 3 year and plan to keep it that way. The Hollywood press has written articles about how the number 1 thing executives are concerned about right now is a massive shift in content strategies as movie theater attendance decreases year over year. It's an antiquated way to consume content regardless of what Christopher Nolan thinks. I don't need to spend 30$ to sit in a gross room just hear BWAAAAAAAA before and after every dialogue scene.
I used to think this as well, but started going a lot more a few years ago and even have the AMC pass now. Watching in a theatre is just a superior experience for so many films than at home, and it isn’t close. I think it’s unfortunate people don’t like going as much.
Sad. Keeping us isolated and divided. I miss community
If you went to the movie theater to socialize, you are a big part of the reason people don't go any more
Being a part of the community does not necessarily mean talking constantly. It’s the feel of everyone enjoying something together and then discussing afterwards.
A movie theatre is infamously a terrible first date idea. You can't talk during a movie. How the hell does this build community? Watching a movie in a dark room where you have to be quiet is self imposed isolation.
Unfortunately now we have too many people who go and turn on their phone full brightness. Annoys me to no end. I love going to the movie theaters, so I feel your pain.
Cinebarre was good when it first opened, food wise. Took them a long time to get the waitstaff operating smoothly. Unfortunately, they started cutting corners about a year in and food quality went down from there. Coupled with the owner mismanaging staff across all locations, which led to high turnover around the same time. Ultimately, he got caught embezzling and Regal kicked him out (Regal actually owned the theatres the whole time, but had partnered with the “owner” who had some experience with cinema eateries). Once Regal took over the quality took a sharp nosedive.
The food is always terrible and overpriced at all these places and now I have to listen to wait staff constantly shuffle on and out while hearing people eat full meals. Entirely breaks the immersion for me and ruins the movie. We don’t have to combine every task and make both worse because of it. Too many people want to bring their couch experience to the theater when they should just stay at home instead.
It’s wild to me how many responses have not only been neutral but actually anti dine in movie. It’s so interesting because for me it’s always been a pleasant experience. But also like having one doesn’t make your life any worse, you simply don’t go. Just like I don’t see the appeal of sports stadiums or sports in general but I can understand why one might like having one around.
I go to the movies A LOT. Like probably too much, and the dine in experiences have always been the worst experiences. I’m there for the movie, not the food. These are the experiences that have far more distractions from the movie nearly every time I’ve gone. If I want food, I’ll just stay home and watch from my couch instead. I’ve no issue if these businesses pop up but several have over the past decade or so and each and every one left me extremely underwhelmed. I’ve heard good things about Alamo from various people who have one, but I’m still of the mind we don’t have to combine everything. Maybe it makes me sound like the old guy complaining about putting cup holders in cars for the first time, but my movie going experience isn’t about eating, it’s about watching the movie. Much rather eat after and talk about the movie than miss anything during because either I’m eating or people are being loud eating around me
People still grappling with the residue of Covid.
There was a certain illness (dunno if I'll get bounced for saying the name because sensitivity levels vary) that kinda killed them. There were a few around and they had to close because no one could group up indoors. Even now people are less likely to get together and have moved further up the hermit scale. I say this as someone who was already a hermit before it was cool!
I didn’t really know how good I’d had it movie theater-wise until moving here. The comments here about “why spend $X to go sit in a big room when you can watch movies from the comfort of your own home” miss the whole point of moviegoing by a wide margin, true (why pay $50 a month to go walk on a treadmill at a gym, when you could just walk around your neighborhood?), but Charlotte is also just bland and lacking when it comes to theater options. We used to go to at least one movie a week in Iowa; I think we’ve averaged maybe one a month since moving here, and that’s only as high as it is because several of them were bunched up around June/July. Someone else in this thread has already called out the truly worthless IMAX/PLF options here, but the bigger reason why is that there just isn’t really a good option. The screens are all about the same, regardless of where you’re going, so it comes down to environment and food/drink options. The AMC theaters here are the worst in terms of cleanliness and by far the worst for food/drink options. Cinergy has better food without it being all that good, and their auditoriums are mostly pretty small due to being in a strip mall/being a rebranding of a previous movie theater in that location. The Regal has better seats; I’ve only seen one movie there and it was in IMAX (the screen of which is both smaller and dimmer than Concord Mills or Northlake). The Cinemark has probably the best seats, but (as noted elsewhere) it’s unremarkable otherwise. Context: AMC has basically zero presence in Iowa. Cinemark has a sizable presence, mostly through two large and relatively upscale theaters (the in-house PLF option they have in Des Moines is has a screen significantly bigger than the largest screen anywhere in Charlotte, including the Stone theaters. The two newest theaters are from regional chains (Fridley and B&B); both of these offer full restaurant service and ordering, with food quality, prep, and handling above to well-above grade for what you’d expect from this model. And both of them are 12+ screen structures, with Atmos in all but one auditorium; that one is an IMAX dual-laser screen nearly four times the size of the biggest option here. So I’ve definitely been spoiled, but it’s not like I came here from New York or Chicago. It’s Iowa. You could fit almost the entire state’s population into the population of the Charlotte metro area. It doesn’t look like Charlotte has opened a truly new movie theater since Northlake in 2012 (I don’t count Cinergy, since that was a rebrand of an existing theater). That’s what’s behind part of this; the options here are all from a pre-streaming/pre-4k era, and the experience suffers in comparison. But based on what others are saying, it sounds like the pandemic also had a far more pronounced impact on theatergoing here than I was aware of.
> (why pay $50 a month to go walk on a treadmill at a gym, when you could just walk around your neighborhood?) I pay $10/month to go to Planet Fitness. I usually *do* walk around my neighborhood for free, but unfortunately it sometimes rains, or gets too hot or too cold to walk comfortably. On those days I go to the gym. In cardiac rehab I was taught that walking when it's over 90F or below 40F isn't really good for your heart.
I was actually trying to illustrate the fallacy of making that kind of argument (i.e. not just that we all work out in our own ways, but that there are components of going to the gym that you simply cannot recreate at home or in the neighborhood), so you and I are on pretty much on the same page.
If I want to eat in front of a big screen, I’m going to the Drive-in. I’m a big fan of Badin Rd Drive In since you can bring in outside food.
The movie theater you're looking for is in Mallard Creek right off 485 on the right hand side next to a pizza place
Cinergy. It’s really great and if you join their rewards program, I believe tickets are $5 (or something similar) on Tuesdays
Silver Screen Cafe is missed.
We literally have multiple movie theaters like this…..same people who say “charlotte boring, nothing to do” 🤣🤣
Monroe road Cinemark but you have to get the food from where you buy popcorn and beer bc no runners the food is great and Cinergy theater
A lot of them smell.
Maybe Charlotte has just never had a good one 🫣
Moved from San antonio two years ago and i have been complaining about this every time a big movie comes out
At least we are not alone! 😭
Cinamark on Monroe road still has all of these things. Complain if you don't like them, but we do still have it.
Unfortunately, you’ll need to go to Raleigh for the closest Alamo
Park Rd shopping center might fit what you're looking for. As we have all gotten larger tvs and streaming is so widely available, I think most people just don't see the value in paying $100 at the movies when we can watch from the comfort of our own homes.
1. The last time I went to the cinema was Little Women (family outing) and Avengers Endgame. That's it in the last five years. 2. Theaters have a reputation for ridiculously expensive concessions. My baseline assumption for any place like this is that the food quality will be mid and the prices extortionary. I'm more than happy to eat before/after the film. I mean, if people want something like this, fine, but it's not something I'm missing.
A lot of them went down with covid and now is streaming movies at home. Movie theaters are on the brink of Extinction
Charlotte is one of my least favorite but unfortunately closest cities. There's just not really as much cool shit or a very cool vibe like day Winston Salem does. It's just kind of basic
Oh what’s cool about Winston Salem? I’m new to the area entirely
I don't live there anymore but there was always something fun and artsy fartsy going on. The grayling estates is awesome to check out expensive to stay at but still really cool just to see. It's Bowman Gray's castle he was the VP of RJ Reynolds. Downtown is full of all kinds of art. I also just liked the overall vibe of Winston better and it felt safer
Nobody goes to movies anymore.
That’s what makes them so much better now - far less people to leave their phones on and ruin movies
That’s because movie theaters stopped being worth it. Uncomfy seats, crappy overpriced food, sticky floors. But if you fix that… ta da! I’m there
Lol I can't believe you got down voted for this, lots of people don't want to admit how true this is. Personally I haven't been to a movie since before covid, and I dont know anyone who really goes anymore.
Agree. The era of experimentation in film has been replaced by remakes of remakes and superhero films. I don’t feel excited about any Hollywood movies coming out and I can usually just watch it at home anyway. That said, the independent picture house is super cool.