Alamo Drafthouse -- South Lamar
Alamo Drafthouse at South Lamar, also known as Alamo South or Alamo Lamar, is one of the three Alamo Drafthouses directly owned by Tim and Karrie League. Located in a strip mall, you might never know this is a full-service restaurant that can handle as many as 800 covers per hour, as well as a first-run theater and special event mini-cineplex. Alamo South Lamar is a popular location for many local film festivals and is the home theater for Fantastic Fest.
Pros: Pre-show clips, food, and beer. Little lights under the tables in front of your seat not only make menu reading easier, but are also helpful if you're taking notes on the film (or want to look at your bill). The theater has a serious "no talking/texting" policy during screenings, so don't be surprised if a manager gives you a warning if you text or get chatty after the house lights go down. If they get multiple complaints after that warning, they reserve the right to "take your ass out." They mean it, so respect the film and the rest of the audience unless it's a special event like "Hecklevision."
Cons: Avoid the first two rows in the theaters unless you like craning your neck. When it gets crowded here, the lobby gets super crowded and verges on the chaotic, although Alamo staff (and volunteers, during fests) have managed to instill very good line control. Popular first-run movies often sell out quickly, especially on summer weekends.
Screens and Capacity: Six theaters with stadium varying in size from 82 seats to 218, all with Sony 4K digital but still capable of showing 35mm films. (196 seats in #1, 218 in #2, 118 in #3 & #6, 82 in #4 & #5). Lines for the movies may be inside the lobby or outside depending on the size of the crowds and the weather. During festivals you may be able to order at the bar by the ticket counter, and enjoy a bite or a brew out at the picnic tables under the awning.
Mobility Impaired Access: Every theater has three floor-level rows, with spaces in the third row specifically for those needing chair access, and the view in that third row is fine. All other amenities are on the ground-floor level so the only problem chair users might have is dealing with crowds (and on weekend nights and during fests, it can get crowded).
Parking: Parking has become a major issue at this location both in front and back, as it's a small strip mall with several other businesses, and The Highball is also a big draw. Be aware of reserved parking and if you must park on the street near the theater, be respectful of the neighborhood.
Bus routes: #3, #338 go to and from the venue. The #484 Night Owl will take you from downtown to the theater but it's only late night and only goes southbound on Lamar. An alternate route is the #30, which requires walking to/from Barton Springs Rd. The #3 can drop you off near the Ritz (the route is on long-term detour and on Congress), and in front of the Paramount. The #338 (which requires a walk from Congress) will take you directly to Westgate theater. For more information, visit the Capital Metro website (hint: click the Service Nearby link then selecting Submit).
Distance: You can't walk to downtown movie theaters (or bars) from here unless you're into serious hiking, but you can take a bus or find a friendly Austinite with a car. A cab from the theater to downtown isn't expensive, but taxis are unlikely to hang around, so be prepared to phone. Make sure the cab service has your name so they won't drive off with some other film geek.
On-site dining options: All Alamo Drafthouses in Austin have a full menu including wine and beer (Ritz is the only one at this time serving hard liquor). You can view the regular menu and current specials on the South Lamar menu, which also includes helpful hints on the ordering process, and information on gluten-free and vegetarian items. If you need more information than what's included on the menu, ask the waitstaff to check for you.
Nearby dining options: The Highball, Suzi's Chinese Kitchen and Casa Garcia are in the same strip mall, and the super-trendy (and pricey) Japanese restaurant Uchi is across the street and down about a block. Almost directly across Lamar, you will find a lot with several food trailers: Odd Duck has bistro-style small plates but is only open after 5 pm Thu-Sat, and Gourdough's offers huge decadent donuts (open late for your sugar and fat convenience). Other outstanding options are along South Lamar, many of which have opened in recent months, as well as "restaurant row" on Barton Springs Rd. For all-night options, Jette likes Kerbey Lane's gingerbread pancakes, and Jenn is partial to the Eggs Francisco.
Wireless: Free wireless is available in the lobby and theaters, and out by the picnic tables you'll find outlets to plug in your electronic devices. The Highball also has wireless and a couple of the boots have outlets. About two blocks further south down Lamar (away from downtown), you'll find a Starbucks in a strip mall across the street from Saxon Pub. Further than a walk, drive north to Barton Springs Road, then turn right to Flipnotics or Austin Java (Jette's "remote office" during film fests), which both offer coffee and wireless access.