Last week we enthusiastically shared the news that Alamo Drafthouse Mueller will officially be open for business starting Thursday, March 9. We are happy to report that you can actually get tickets for Staff Training Days starting as early as Friday, March 3. And if you just want to pop in and check out this new venue, you can visit on Sunday, March 5 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. for the Alamo Mueller Drop-In Day and tour this space first-hand.
The Do512 Family team had the chance to take a sneak peek of this brand new Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and we are blown away by how awesome it is! Join us here on a little inside look:
First Stop: Barrel O’ Fun
Inside the ground floor of Alamo Drafthouse Mueller is a destination all its own — Barrel O’ Fun. By day it’s a family-friendly space with a vintage Coney Island vibe and a few carnival games behind the bar that serves up a selection of old-fashioned soda fountain classics, egg creams and floats.
When the sun goes down, however, the “R-E-L” on the Barrel O’ Fun sign will no longer be illuminated, noting that the space transforms into the “Bar O’ Fun.” The carnival games then fold into the ceiling to reveal a selection of fine spirits and craft beers.
Barrel O’ Fun also features a stage for DJ sets, live bands, trivia and more during happy hour and most weekday evenings. Families can also count on some special kid-friendly events during early evening and weekends.
While you’re there, enjoy a carnival-inspired menu with bites like hand-battered Corn Pups and Mac n’ Cheese alongside more dishes like the Cedar-Planked Pork Belly.
Family-Friendly Features
Situated next to the Thinkery and just a block away from Mueller Lake Park, we bet that most of you are already quite familiar with this booming, family-focused area of East Austin. The Alamo Drafthouse Mueller shares the McBee parking garage with Thinkery (validating for up to 4 hours). The facility includes two family accessible bathrooms with changing tables in addition to the gender-neutral bathrooms. Inside the Alamo Drafthouse Mueller, you can also take advantage of some pretty sweet photo ops — assuming you can get those kiddos to stop and say “cheese” for you.
The new family-focused programming is what’s getting us most excited. We can look forward to such things as a Beauty and the Beast Party on March 25 with pre-show dance lessons & hands-on crafts, as well as future Parents’ Night Out collaborations with the Thinkery in which we can drop the kids off for supervised activities while we watch a film at the Alamo.
Teachers and homeschooling parents are also in for a special treat during Spring Break. From Monday, March 13 through Thursday, March 16 all Alamo locations (including Mueller) will be offering free admission to any show before 6 p.m. as part of their Teacher Appreciation Week. Click here for full details.
Dedication to the Austin Community
Amy Averett, national Director of Family & Community Engagement, mentioned that this particular Alamo Drafthouse will be partnering with Thinkery as well as Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas and The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Texas. Of course, we’re delighted to hear their plans on giving back to the community — especially with these deserving nonprofit organizations in close proximity to this cinema’s new neighborhood.
Additionally, this new location, designed by Weiss Architecture, Inc., includes amazing artistic details crafted by locals. Blue Genie Art Industries fabricated the Barrel O’ Fun entrance, carnival games, wall art, and upstairs Spaceship. Austinite Evan Voyles of the Neon Jungle is creating the neon artistry for the space. It’s nice to see that while the Alamo Drafthouse chain is expanding and growing, hometown collaborations are well-featured within this new location.
Ultimate Moviegoing Experience
Alamo Drafthouse Mueller features six state-of-the-art auditoriums that range in size from 45 seats to 140 seats. The reclining seats are ultra-comfy and equipped with individual tables to hold your delicious drinks and food. As with all Alamo Drafthouse Cinemas, you’re able to order with ease from your very own seat during the film.
We are pretty sure you’re going to love this new theater as much as we do! For more on Alamo Drafthouse Mueller and Barrel O’ Fun, you can visit the Alamo Mueller website and follow on Facebook and Twitter.
