Highlight: AMC's Dine-In Movie Theatre (Almost) Steals the Show

With Memorial Day behind us, the summer movie season has officially kicked into high gear. Whether you like teenage mutants (X-Men: First Class ), violent robots (Transformers: Dark of the Moon) or magical wizards (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II), there's something for everyone in theatres this season.

This summer, AMC offers a great way for you to enhance your moviegoing experience.

Picture yourself reclining in an oversized, plush, leather chair while you munch on complementary gourmet popcorn or sip on your favorite cocktail and dine on blackened salmon, steak and crab dip all while watching the latest Hollywood summer blockbuster.

Sounds good, right?

AMC theatre thought so too. They've launched several dine-in movie theatres located in Atlanta, Dallas, Kansas, Orlando, three cities in New Jersey (West Orange, Bridgewater, Edison) and a new theatre set to open in Phoenix this August. You literally peruse a menu that features everything from soft drinks and alcoholic beverages to appetizers, full course meals and desserts to enjoy while you watch the movie.

Amenities include: an individual personal call button, seat side service, a ton of leg room, marble trays to dine on and a hot prepackaged cloth to clean your hands after you're done.

Here's how it works:





More than just a place to watch movies, AMC's dine-in theatre facility is also a place to mix and mingle and throw back a few cold ones. The full-service bar, stools, chairs, couches and flat screen televisions that adorn the lobby, make it more of a lounge to converse over cocktails and watch the big game than simply a place to buy tickets and popcorn.






If all of this feels more grown-up, it's with good reason. The dine-in theatres are an adult only affair.

You have to be at least 18 to buy a ticket to watch a movie in the Fork & Screen theatre ($10 for an adult ticket plus a $10 casual dining experience charge). And anyone under 18 needs to be accompanied by an adult 21 or older. And only folks who are 21 and older can dine and watch movies in the Cinema Suites theatre ($10 for an adult ticket plus a $15 premium dining experience charge). The $15/$10 experience charge is deducted from meal purchases in the auditorium.

That's right. No screaming babies or whining toddlers to ruin your cinematic moments.

There are some downsides:

Quiet on the Set!

Be prepared to deal with light chatter during the movie as servers tend to moviegoers.

Let there be Light. NOT!

There are dim lights near your tray that can be a bit distracting while watching the movie, but are necessary to see your food while eating.

Move Bish, Get Out The Way!

The place gets packed on the weekends. According to the manager, more people come to hang out in the lounge than to watch the latest flick. So if crowds aren't your thing, you may want to make it a Netflix night.

Better Hit Up Fandango Before You Leave The House!
Be sure to order your tickets in advance (you're allowed to pick your own seats). Remember, bigger chairs + extra leg room + tables for eating = less space for seats and more sold out shows!

All in all, AMC's seat side dining is a welcomed change from the typical popcorn and Icee movie snack, and a great one shot stop for dates; you get dinner, drinks and a movie all in one spot. And combining the two may actually save you some money - and gas.

Oh yeah, and with all the noshing, drinking, reclining and pampering going on, don't forget why you came there in the first place. The man cave worthy recliner is so comfortable, I almost fell asleep on The Adjustment Bureau. Be sure to pay attention to the movie!

For more info on AMC's Dine-in theatre, check out their website.

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