Alamo Drafthouse Expanding to D.C. for 12th Location

ABJ is reporting that Alamo Drafthouse will open its 12th location in 2013 in Washington, D.C. The 34,000 square foot cinema will be at One Loudoun, in Loudoun County Virginia. Construction begins this week, and is set to open in the spring of 2013. "The Best Theater Ever" (Time) and "coolest theater in the world" (Wired, source) seems to be on a recession-proof roll: they increased box office sales in 2011 by 2.6%, making the national industry's 3.4% drop the same year feel pathetic. Certainly their unique take on movie going (restaurant and alcohol service, legendary (enforced) rules about respecting the platform, pre-show trailers designed to engage and inspire customers to arrive early) has contributed to their success. Undoubtedly, their unwavering dedication to the art form and its community hasn't hurt either.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Paige Maguire in Arts & Entertainment on January 13, 2012 1:36 PM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

Andrew W

Yeah, they really missed an opportunity. If this was in DC proper, it'd be packed and I'd go all the time. Ashburn, never would go.

David

Agreed with earlier comments. All of us in Washington DC are rolling our eyes at your ignorance. Ashburn is in Virginia. Not DC-- Virginia. It's an either/or proposition.

karonf

Dear Austinist,
Ashburn is to Washington, DC as San Marcos is to Austin. Only it will take about twice as long to drive from DC to Ashburn as there is no Interstate and if you get above 40mph it is either a holiday or 3am.

But major congrats to Ashburn. I loved Alamo when I lived in Austin but as great as they are, it is not worth getting a zipcar to drive out that far for dinner and a movie.

melher

So, Amina65, which tunnel do you take to get to Dulles International? It must be very inconvenient. Especially if you have to travel with that heavy load of contempt that you're carrying.

Amina65

agree with kbenton. Since when is ANYTHING in Virginia considered Washington, DC? I don't even cross the river into Arlington let alone something an hour away in freakin Loudon County! Hey America.... Maryland and Virginia are NOT Washington, DC and us District dwellers do not travel out there into "bridge and tunnel" country to do anything except catch a flight out.

pat doyle

Unique take on $12 cheeseburgers & $4 Lone Stars too. Rip-off.

kbenton

In what possible way does Ashburn, VA count as "DC"? I can hear about 15,000 of my fellow in-town, METRO-dependent residents throwing up their hands in frustration after being led to believe we'd get a Drafthouse of our own.

35 miles away by toll road may as well be on Mars for all it affects me and mine. In fact, I'm positive I'll end up seeing a movie in Austin before I make it to Ashburn... at least I have *other* reasons to go to Texas.

Very disappointing.