11/03/09

Very Unfriendly Business Practice

by aceware

My family and I received $60 worth of gift cards for this place a while back. The cards got tucked away and a little over a year later I stumble across them and decide to redeem one on a movie. I go to their website to check the balance on the cards and found the link buggy and generally confounding. I call the number provided and ask the employee if they can pull the balance on the cards for me. He says yes and after a few minutes, tells me I have $20, $2.75 and $10 respectively. I ask again if he's sure they'll redeem them even though the cards are over a year old, he assures me they will. So I hop in the car drive across town to the South Lamar location and plop down the card to the guy at the counter. He pushes the card back at me and says "these are expired dude, they've got Backlot here on the back. We ain't issued those in forever". So I tell him the phone story and he says he don't make the rules...sorry! I tell him that kinda stinks don't ya think, and turn to leave when he adds oh so sarcastically "have a nice day buddy!".

This is somewhat of a neighbor friendly establishment I thought, so it's especially disappointing to learn they use the same "breakage" marketing mind set as the mega mall stores and credit card bilkers. I say it's very simple, someone pays you for a service, you provide it. A one year expiration on my cash is unacceptable. You've let down you're end of the bargain and for it, bought a lot of very negative advertising for yourself. Have a nice day, buddy!

• Pros: Good concept
• Cons: really bad execution

03/24/09

Most Fun Place To See Movies

by kinskifan78

How can you beat getting to order beer and food with a good movie? You can't. This is one of my favorite girlfriend's and I's favortie places to go for a date.

• Pros: beer and food with movie
• Cons: None

02/09/09

Best theatre in town!

by swma

I wouldn't pick any other theatre. I love this place. Well managed. I'll pick the Drafthouse whenever I can because of the service and food. Fun place

• Pros: Great movies. Great menu. Fun and friendly staff.
• Cons: I don't live close enough to it!

11/25/08

Rude Staff

by TonyD77

I went to to Alamo South tonight to see the new Bond movie and from start finish every employee was rude and had a snotty attitude. I asked for a ticket to the 7Pm show and the guy at the counter who looked liked he fell into a tackle box just kinda huffed and pointed to to the sign that it was sold out. So I thought about it and then came back and asked this girl for a ticket to the next show. Since I had 3 hours to go, I asked if there was a good place to eat around there. She was like what's wrong with our food? I was like how am I supposed to eat here if the movies not for three hours? and she was like oh duh. So I went to eat and came back and sat on the couch waiting for the movie to open up. When I did I got up and walked in the theater only to have a guy stop me and tell me I had to go wait in line. I told him I had been sitting on the couch outside for about 2 hours and no one said anything about a line. I was like c'mon cut me a little slack here man. He mumbled something like can't help you buddy and tossed me out. I should have been first one in and instead he made me be last, because he decided to pull rank on me when he knew I had been out there the whole time. Once inside it took forever to get a small order of popcorn and when I asked for a refill on the soda it like 20 minutes later before it came. Also two clumsy waiters dropped dishes throughout the movie making a really annoying crashing sound and took their time cleaning it up. I won't be back anytime soon. Not worth the price you pay. Go somewhere else really!

• Pros: none
• Cons: rude staff, poor service, overpriced

10/15/08

Won't got to any other Theaters

by 81Amber81

I love Alamo Drafthouse, and not just South Lamar, but the Alamo on Anderson, The Old Ritz Alamo, even that crazy far away Alamo at like Lake Creek Parkway. In fact, it is not likely I will ever go to any traditional theater ever again. I have always had great experiences at Alamo. I don't take any of the service or food that seriously though, and maybe that's why I don't have a complaint. For about the same amount of money spent at Galaxy Theater on 2 sodas, a popcorn, a candy and some nasty nachos or a hot dog, you can get a bucket of beer, an appetizer and two entrees for practically the same amount of money. To top it off, the stuff is brought right to you. No, you aren't waited on hand and foot, but you are at a movie. I like their pizzas, burgers, wings, salads, etc. If you want a real dining experience, go to a real restaurant. Or if you don't like the "dining experience" at Alamo go to galaxy next time and get up everytime you need to waste money on junk food from the concession stand. Anyone who gripes about Alamo should just probably never go there again because businesses that are as cool as Alamo are probably just lost on you anyhow. Oh, and they don't let kids come in unattended. That means that annoying little teenagers are not being dropped off in droves by their moms to talk on their cell phone, giggle and annoy you throughout the entire movie. What is there not to love about Alamo? Now if some competition comes around, then maybe we'll talk.

• Pros: drink boos, eat real food all while at the movies!
• Cons: none I can think of

06/13/08

Service not so great, and food was not what was described on menu

by jenijen

Went recently with my boyfriend, and we generally love the Drafthouse. I ordered fish tacos and he ordered nachos--both finger foods, but it's always good to have utensils especially when tacos are served with a side of beans. Well, we didn't have any, and it took forever for our waiter to come back so we could ask for utensils and for some jalapenos for by boyfriend's nachos. For such a large order of nachos, he only got about four jalapeno slices. Oh, and according to the menu the tacos are served with rice and beans. I got the beans, but no rice in site, just a huge pile of tortilla chips. Hope they get it together and don't go downhill like some other Austin establishments.

• Pros: good movie
• Cons: service

05/31/08

Best Theater In Austin

by RunningTRex

Not only is the Alamo South Lamar the best Alamo theater, it's also the best theater in all of Austin. The staff is always friendly. The environment is so fun. The Alamo makes going to the movies an experience again. The food and beer selection is amazing. Honestly, why are you still reading this? Go to the Alamo!

04/19/08

Dinner and a Movie is the only way to go!

by ian0196

Tired of movie stadiums with teenage drones working the register and concession stand? Then get to know the Alamo Drafthouse chain. A true movie experience awaits you with colorful people, a diverse movie selection and best of all, a full menu that is served to you at your seat. Ever had a glass of real French Champagne at a movie theater? I did with a big salad and warm cookies towards the end. My family and avoid going anywhere else. Once you have taken your kids to the Alamo they will be disappointed going to a place which does not serve French Fries and popcorn in a real metal bowl. It?s, of course, very easy to run up a decent tab but when you consider that you get a meal, movie, and dessert it is not such a bad deal. My family (2 adults, 3 kids) does the whole thing for about $60. It is worth noting, Mom and Dad, that the crowds and even the previews tend to be ?edgier?. Anything movie rated PG-13 or higher might have previews that could be objectionable. But any kid movie is generally safe. See you there!!

• Pros: Good food, above average wine and beer, great movie variety, staff that knows and cares!
• Cons: Though generally family friendly ,staff sometimes not totally comfortable with kids. No kid pricing.

11/09/07

The ONLY place in Austin to watch movies

by longhorngirl82

I don't go anywhere else to watch movies anymore. The Alamo always has the best movies and you can drink more than soft drinks and eat more than stale hot dogs and soggy nachos. The food is great. They make some yummy pizza with funny names like "The Godfather" or "My Big Fat Veggie Pizza." Sometimes they will even do specialty menus that coincide with the movie playing. Check out their website for events and specials.

07/26/07

I Love the Alamo!

by pamagd

They have similar movie theater/restaurant places in other cities but Austin and the Alamo Drafthouse have it exactly right! They have a great beer selection, good movies, and the seating here is really comfy. Definitely get there an hour to 45 minutes early and get in line for a good seat and put an order in as soon as you sit down because this place gets crowded fast. The waiting is no problem though because the pre-show entertainment is almost as good as the movie! The servers do a good job with the lighting they have available and of course the food is amazing (even though it is overpriced, like it is at every other movie theater!) The Alamo is my favorite place in Austin, by far.

• Pros: Great food, cold beer, comfy seats, good preshow, fairly fast service, no babies allowed!
• Cons: Food is a little pricey, crowded