The Highball
The Highball is owned by Alamo Drafthouse founders Tim and Karrie League, and features a very Alamo/Austin slate of entertainment options, including bowling and karaoke. It also includes a snack and dinner menu and a full bar.
Strictly speaking, The Highball rarely shows movies, but is frequently used for afterparties for films shown at Alamo South Lamar, film fundraisers, movie trivia events and other movie-themed parties. It also hosts many Fantastic Fest events.
Pros: It's a very short walk to Alamo South Lamar, and a nice place to get a pre-movie or post-movie drink, snack or full meal.
Cons: The Highball gets very crowded during dinnertime and late at night, and it's very difficult to hear people sitting next to you.
Parking: The Highball is part of a strip mall with a parking lot in front and another behind Alamo South Lamar. Beware of parking spaces with reserved signs for other shops and restaurants, as they will tow. The lots will fill during film festivals and you may have to park on streets in the neighborhood ... try to be quiet and considerate of the residents, if so (we don't want them lobbying for permit parking on their streets!).
Bus routes: #3, #338, and #484 Night Owl can take you downtown from here -- an easy way to get to the Paramount or Alamo Ritz.
Distance: You can't walk to downtown movie theaters 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 they're unlikely to hang around the parking lot, 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-side food and beverages: The Highball has a snazzy cocktail menu as well as a number of beers on tap, some small plates and hearty appetizers (oh, those Dr Pepper ribs ...), a few entrees, and desserts that were built to be shared. The small plates and entrees are often a little lighter and healthier than the Alamo Drafthouse selections.
Nearby dining options: Almost directly across Lamar, you will find a lot with several food trailers: Odd Duck for bistro-style small plates; Brevita for coffeehouse fare; and Gourdough's for huge decadent donuts. If you've got a car, you can also try the restaurants on Barton Springs Road or further south down Lamar.
Wireless: Wireless is usually available. 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, which both offer coffee and wireless access.
[Photo credit: "Highball bar" by Erin Williamson on Flickr. Used under Creative Commons license.]