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Theater chain to bring more food, luxury to DC movie-going

WASHINGTON — One of the nation’s leaders in high-end moviegoing is moving into D.C.

Alamo Drafthouse Cinema announced Monday its plans to build a 44,000 square-foot theater along the Rhode Island Avenue corridor. The cinema company expects to open the new location in 2019.

“Every seat will be a luxury recliner and each auditorium will include Sony 4K Digital Cinema projection and top-of-the-line sound,” the company said in a statement. Theatergoers will be able to order in-house, prepared food and craft beer from inside the theater or at the venue’s bar.

The project will be part of the Bryan Street development, which will include a mix of residential and retail on a 13-acre site.

Austin-based Alamo opened a cinema three years ago in Ashburn, and shows both current hits, classics and cult favorites.

The D.C. region has seen other similar cinema upgrades. AMC just opened a nine-screen cinema at Westfield Wheaton. While the rooms don’t have the stadium-style steep pitch we’ve become used to in new construction, AMC does offer higher-end food offerings and large recliner seats.

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