Alamo Drafthouse is Coming to DC

WASHINGTON, DC — Big news, film fans: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema has announced its first location in the District -- although it won't open until 2019.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema will be opening up a 44,000 square-foot theater at MRP Realty's Bryant Street development along the Rhode Island Avenue corridor in Northeast, according to a statement from the company.

The cinema chain is unique in that it allows you to order food and beverages in the theater like a restaurant instead of just candy, popcorn and other junk food offered at most theaters. It also has a famously strict etiquette policy, having no qualms about booting theater-goers who violate it by talking on their cell phone or generally disrupting the cinema experience.

Alamo Drafthouse has 22 locations nationwide, with more than half of them in Texas. There are two locations in Virginia: in Kernstown near Winchester, and in Ashburn. A third location will open in Charlottesville this summer.

“We are extremely pleased to have found a great Alamo Drafthouse Cinema location along the dynamic Rhode Island Avenue corridor of Northeast D.C. MRP Realty had the vision to re-integrate this property into the community in a way that helps its citizens reap the benefits of D.C. revitalization,” Anthony Coco and Joseph Edwards, co-owners of Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Washington D.C., said in a statement. “Every seat will be a luxury recliner and each auditorium will include Sony 4K Digital Cinema projection and top-of-the-line sound. Our commitment to the overall experience is evident through our from-scratch, in-house prepared food and extensive draft craft beer selections available both in the theater and at our stand alone bar Glass Half Full.”

The Bryant Street development will ultimately include 1,550 residential units and 245,000 square feet of retail.

Image via Gensler