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Austin MetBlogs scooped traditional media outlets today by revealing that the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown will soon relocate from its current spot, at 5th and Colorado, to the Ritz, Austin's storied dive bar/movie house/pool hall/music venue that once played host to the likes of Roky Erickson, the Butthole Surfers, and the Flaming Lips.
Curiously, the original post on the Alamo's blog has since been unpublished, most likely because an official announcement will be made later this week.
Word on the street is that this has been in the works for "a long time," but that the deal has only recently become official. Tim at MetBlogs notes that this move will likely take place over the summer, which means that you only have a few months left to enjoy a Master Pancake skewering or Music Mondays screening at the original space.
Photo by Ironic Tonic on flickr
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What was the Heroes of the Alamo program all about if the move has been in the works for a long time?
i don't think that program went as well as planned
I don't care about the behind the scenes dealings. What I care about is there will be an Alamo Drafthuouse Cinema downtown within easy (for me) walking distance of the free parking under Austin City Hall, and there will probably be two screens.
HUZZAH!
Conan - I hate to break it to you but the free parking at City Hall will be going away soon -- 1 year later than expected but it's in the works.
Awww...I liked the old location. It was really close to non-scary deck parking and a lot of the gay bars.
Oh well.
Everybody wins! Seating at the original Alamo is currently pretty limited, and the Ritz will be reclaiming a bit of dignity.
Too bad.
I'd prefer to steer clear of the frat-barf-smell on that corner.
The original Drafthouse is much, MUCH closer to City Hall than The Ritz.
And will this be both floors of The Ritz? Didn't the bottom floor JUST go through a pretty heavy remodel?
Wow. The ritz?! I guess I will be going to the Lamar Drafthouse from how on. Who wants to have to go over near there. blech.
haha, haters make me sick. please do stay away.
and to what Davey was saying, I think the best thing about the move is that maybe years from now we can forget that The Ritz turned from one of the coolest dives in town to The Shitz that it is now.
Conan must not get downtown much. His maps are off. Either that or he's one of those Alamo afficianodos that doesn't know there is an Alamo on Colorado.
Come one Jess, it's not like it was the League's first choice. I guess if I want to down some $1 shots before a movie I'll be in the right place. I'll give it a go but between the area and parking I won't be looking forward to the move.
I'll just be glad to see the lame-o's running the crappy Ritz Blender Bar give up such a great space. I think it will give some dignity back to what is fast becoming our Bourbon Street. Hooray!
I'm glad that they got it into a classic movie joint though. I was pulling for one of the old movie houses in town that have tried being other things. I think it could've been cooler if they'd gotten into the old Tower building on the Drag, since that was the awesome independent movie theater in town back in the day, but then again, it would be a little too close to the Dobie for the relationship between those two not to get nasty. Win one for old movie houses getting a new life showing movies again. Way to go Tim and Co. at the Alamo Drafthouse!
Here's some links to how the old Tower Records looked when it was the Varsity Theater.
http:// www.flickr.com/pho tos/blainepen/95028891
http:// www.flickr.com/pho tos/blainepen/95028791
http:// www.flickr.com/pho tos/blainepen/95028714
http:// www.flickr.com/pho tos/blainepen/94793493
Back when Batman played there: http:// www.flickr.com/pho tos/blainepen/101451435
from the Statesman story (apparently people have an idea that they can bring 6th St back to its former glory and make it less crappy. we shall see)
Downtown advocates say the move will be the first major step in a renaissance for East Sixth Street, which is dominated by bars.
"Sixth is Austin's historic gem, architecturally and culturally," said Josh Allen, executive director of the Pecan Street Owners Association, a group of property owners working to enhance the area's image. "This is a very positive step forward in bringing Sixth Street back to its glory."
I'm confused. The same people wanting to "bring it back ti it's former glory" are people making f'tons of money off of selling cheap crappy booze to college kids. It was so trashed during SX by 9pm each night I was fairly disgusted.
Odam,
It'd be great if this move did usher in some sort of Sixth Street renaissance. I'd like to see it drift toward something like the Gaslamp District in San Diego with restaurants and patio dining by day which turn to bars and clubs at night.
That said, however, I will probably end up regretting those words at some point in the future. I'm always reminded how unique Austin and Sixth Street are when I visit other cities and experience their overpriced drinks, long lines, and COVERS.
Pros:
Cool old school movie theater vibe.
Better seating.
BIGGER SCREEN. (The biggest problem w/ the current location)
2 Theaters!!
Potential for a BIGGER beer selection?!
Cons:
6th Street (who wants to have a 19 year old barf on you on your way out of the theater)
Moving away from "The Original"
Ok, the move will be good, but it won't be the same. It's sad how little I've been to 6th since college and this could change things. When does it open? (My prediction Late '07 or Early '08)
From the press release Tim sent out, it could be open by as early as the end of summer '07.