ArcLight in Glenview Offers Unique Movie-Going Experience

Movies themselves are an enhanced experience.

That’s why we go. We want to see the newest releases on the largest of screens, with the best effects and to be engaged and uninterrupted from the beginning of the show to the final credits.

What we don’t like is the long lines, the messy theaters and the uncertainty associated with where the sit in the theater and if we’ll even find a good seat at all.

That’s the foundation behind ArcLight Cinemas, a California-based company that recently opened just their second location in the eastern half of the United States in Glenview.

When the theater approached the Glenview Village Board about opening in The Glen, a representative said the theater offers “an exhilarating” movie-going experience.

After having the opportunity to take in a recent showing of Poltergeist, I couldn’t agree more.

My girlfriend, Alyssa, and I were greeted warmly as we entered and proceeded to enjoy every aspect from that point on.

The lobby provides a much more pleasant, non-rushed atmosphere than you’d find at other theaters. Kiosks are there for last minute planners to purchase tickets on their own, although a majority of tickets are purchased online.

The theater doesn’t offer foods with offensive smells like onions, so it was quite nice to sit out by the bar area and take in some of the finest foods we’ve ever had before a movie.

Alyssa and I loved the pork belly sliders, margarita pizza and hot wings - which Alyssa praised as “crispy, yum-yum.”

The Ahi-tuna and house-made chips were also good selections.

Several craft beers - many from the area - highlight the bar section, another feature that makes ArcLight unique.

READ MORE: ArcLight Cinemas To Open in Glenview Serving Alcohol

The village of Glenview amended code to create a liquor license classification to allow ArcLight to open in the space long operated by The Glen 10 Cinemas - a transformation that took just a couple of weeks to pull off.

A manager on duty the night we attended the show noted that there is nothing like enjoying a good drink and movie during an uninterrupted experience.

That experience continues in the theater itself.

No need to worry about where to sit, you’ll find that on your ticket with the reserved seating policy.

An usher will introduce each movie with a little bit of background about it, welcoming viewers to the ArcLight experience. No crazy commercial asking you to turn off your cell phone, the usher will politely ask the audience as a group in person.

Instead of long drawn-out previews that last sometimes more than 20 minutes, the feature presentation at ArcLight starts after three short trailers.

“It’s a direct experience,” Alyssa said. “More personable.”

Full meals aren’t allowed in the theater, just the popcorn, snacks and your drink.

It’s easy to notice the difference as the movie moves along. The lack of interruptions allowed us viewers to take away more details from the movie and follow along from start to finish.

“It was luxurious,” Alyssa said. “I enjoyed every minute.”