Tim League, the founder of prominent dine-in theatre chain Alamo Drafthouse, announced this week the debut of a new theatre venture called Metro Private Cinema, which will open its first location in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood in late August or early September.
League’s vision is to offer a high-end movie viewing experience, with groups reserving one of the theatre’s 20 screening rooms fitted with a private lounge and serving upscale cuisine. The experience will not come cheap, with movie tickets costing an average of $50 per person before food and drinks.
League, who popularized the dine-in theatre concept by creating Alamo Drafthouse, told the Hollywood Reporter that he came up with the idea when visiting friends with high-end home theatres. While he envisions opening more locations, he believes that Chelsea is an ideal location, given that many who live in the area do not have sufficient space in their apartments for private home theatres. After League sold Alamo Drafthouse to Sony last year, he remains interested in creating new ways for movie fans to experience moviegoing.
