theater

Eating Local: Dinner and A Movie – Nitehawk Cinema & Alamo Drafthouse

April 24, 2019 By Grace Guadagnino Leave a Comment Filed Under: Eat Local Tagged With: Eat Local, food, grace guadagino, movie, theater

“Goonies Never Say Die” cocktail consisting of peanut-washed High West Double Rye,
Amaro Montenegro, creme de cacao, Ancho Reyes

There is no better way to spend a rainy Saturday than cozying up inside a warm theatre while being served your favorite snacks throughout a newly released film. And, yes, I said throughout the film: truffle popcorn, charcuterie plates, and a full bar are readily available at the newest theatrical addition to Park Slope, the Nitehawk Cinema movie theatre. For those of you who don’t know that these convenient dinner theatres exist around Brooklyn and across the U.S., allow me to introduce to you Prospect Park’s newest addition.

Dinner theatres are for those who thoroughly enjoy going to the movies and, you guessed, total foodies. If you want to watch Bradley Cooper serenade you and get served a hot meal without getting up, we’ve found your sanctuary.

Nitehawk Cinema just opened in Prospect Park this past December, taking over a desolate venue, formerly The Pavilion, a theatre which closed in 2016. The theatre are outfitted with newly minted leather seats and a tray like table big enough to hold your “Goonies Never Say Die” signature cocktail, truffle butter popcorn (with ½ priced refills!), and a delicious burger with fries. Make sure to leave room for a whiskey root beer float or spicy Mexican chocolate soft serve ice cream for dessert!

The way these theatres operate is very simple. You explore the menu and once you know what you would like, simply write it on the paper given and place it upright in the holder. This way the server can see from a distance that you are placing an order. The waiter will then sneak by and grab the order sheet, returning with those tater tots you’ve been craving all night.

There is also a bar outside of the multiple screening rooms where you can continue to enjoy their handcrafted cocktails and snacks after the credits start rolling. A clean and spacious balcony area above the bar is also available for sipping on your beer and lounging with a view of the park.

Nitehawk Cinema has two locations—in Prospect Park and Williamsburg—whereas its national competitor, Alamo Drafthouse, is located in Downtown Brooklyn with two other locations opening soon in the Financial District and Staten Island. Alamo, however, is a national treasure that has 35 locations all over the country, having initially begun its tasty entertainment hustle in Austin, Texas in 1997.

Both theatres have quite versatile menus, ranging from salty and sweet appetizers to heartier options, including vegan and gluten free choices, and assisted by a full bar. Whether munching on the delicious truffle parmesan popcorn at Alamo Drafthouse, or savoring the rich truffle mousse pâte at Nitehawk, you’ll never want to leave your seat (Clearly I have an affinity for anything truffle).

One of the more creative aspects of Nitehawk Cinema has to be the film puns found in each menu. With new films being released regularly, the venue crafts their cocktails and appetizers to reflect certain movie themes. After the release of On the Basis of Sex, a film following the life and career of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Nitehawk Cinema created the delicious concoction called “RBG Avocado Toast.” This dish consists of ricotta, brussel sprouts, guacamole, lemon, herbs and, of course, avocado over organic French sourdough toast. The Lego Movie 2 inspired another “punny” addition to the menu: the snack “Lego My Waffle,” where you can create your own waffle sandwich stack. Nitehawk does an excellent job keeping their menu up to date and consistently adding more variety (and even more puns) with new movies being premiered. Alamo does, however, have photos of old films stretched across each of their menus, but hardly any creative puns or jokes can be found other than labeling their White Russian cocktail after “The Dude.”

Tater tots with a side of hot queso topped with fresh chives
from Nitehawk Cinema

Kristen Anderson, a 25-year-old Park Slope resident, lives just a few blocks away from the new Nitehawk Cinema and is very excited for the new local theatre opening.

“I’ve been to Alamo [Drafthouse]. We saw Vice and had dinner. We got there early so we could kind of eat before the movie started,” she began. “The food was really good. But I’m excited that this [theatre] is closer. I’ll definitely check it out!”

While the concept of having dinner while watching a film in the theatre sounds luxurious, some people aren’t totally sold on the idea of having waiters serving mid-movie.

“I feel like bringing in the food was very awkward. They have to duck to not be in your way,” said Bushwick resident Tommy Mosqueira, who went to see Mary Poppins at Nitehawk with his roommate. “I thought it was a cool concept, but I think it could’ve been executed better.”

Some locals, however, are much more enthusiastic about the dinner theatre world than others. Sara Fowler, a resident of Prospect Place who lives equidistant to Nitehawk Prospect Park and Alamo Drafthouse, thinks highly of both theatres and attends them regularly.

“I’m very fond of both of them,” she starts, “but they each occupy different niches. I think the beer and popcorn are just better here at Nitehawk.” The 26-year-old then described what she ordered during her cinematic adventure. “I ordered the Nitehawk popcorn which I like because it’s sort of sour and unconventional and tropical with citric acid. It was very good.” She paired it with the Victory Sour beer, an ale from Pennsylvania.

Nitehawk Cinema is located at 188 Prospect Park West. Now go treat yourself to a cinematic experience you’ll never forget!

Park Slope Reader Presents: Slope Survey

March 5, 2019 By admin Filed Under: Slope Survey Tagged With: interview, Park Slope, pipertheater, readers, Slope Survey, theater, winter survey

The Slope Survey returns for its 11th installment with John P. McEneny.

John P. McEneny is a teacher, playwright, director and long time resident of Park Slope. For the past twenty one years, he has been the drama teacher at William Alexander Middle School 51. His sixth grade play, Maddie Splinter and the Aluminum Chair Rocket Ship will go up at the end of the month. His theatre company, Piper Theatre Productions, has been in residence every July at the Old Stone House since 2005. Piper Theatre Productions has been creating theater for and with people ages 7 to 70. Through afterschool and summer drama programing for young people, to opportunities for emerging artists, to a professional stage company that performs free productions every summer; Piper supports artists at all stages of their development and, in doing so, creates a community of artists learning and growing together. Past productions include Sweeney Todd, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Island of Doctor Moreau, Xanadu, Priscilla Queen of Desert, Wendy Darling, Splitfoot. pipertheatre.org

What brought you to Park Slope?

Twenty one years ago, a young John P. McEneny, started his job as a drama teacher at William Alexander Middle School 51 and found an apartment for rent across the street on the first day and he’s been there ever since, making his daily commute exactly 50 seconds.

What is your most memorable Park Slope moment?

Any evening in July when Piper is presenting a play at the Old Stone House. It’s beautiful in all kinds of ways.

Describe your community superpower.

I can make theatre happen – and I mean like a LOT of it.

If you could change one thing about the neighborhood, what would it be?

Bring back Press 195, Belleville, S’Nice. If I had a wish, it would be to cast a spell over all our Fifth Avenue treasures – Leopoldi’s, Old Stone House, BAX, Miriam’s – with some protective mojo. I love my neighborhood.

What do you think Park Slope will look like in 10 years?

Hopefully more artists. Sadly more upscale condos. And I’m thinking more of those little free libraries in front of houses.

What are you reading, would you recommend it?

Lincoln at the Bardo by George Saunders. And a biography on the ctress Eileen Heckart.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Travelling. I went to Romania last summer.

If you couldn’t live in Park Slope or in Brooklyn, where would you go?

I would probably return back to my people in Albany. I have like eight generations of family history in Albany, NY. I was the only one who got out so it would be fitting to end up there with my Dad and siblings.

Who is your hero, real or fictional?

My heroes are all the actors and artists I get to work with – whether they be children or professionals – who stick their hearts out bravely into the dark world and make us feel, think, do.

Last Word, What’s is turning you on these days?

My sister got me this roomba vacuum for Christmas and it is a very good robot. It’s not exactly “turning me on”, but I am completely obsessed. My cats are not.

The New Picture Show: Nitehawk Cinema Comes to Park Slope

March 14, 2017 By Ryder Miller Filed Under: Community Tagged With: cinema, Pavillion, theater

The cinema, in its experiential glory can be a magical event. It provides a means to communicate in a rich contextual way with others. One should remember that the movies can be a communal experience. The release of a new film in some cases can be a real social and historical event, and it would be a shame to lose that in a world of Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Pavilion to be Renovated and Open again in 2017.

Current plans for the $10 million renovation will include a bar and restaurant inside, a balcony view of Prospect Park, and an elevator to the top floor.

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in 2017 park slope and the surrounding community will enjoy its own nitehawk cinema outpost.

[/pullquote]Battle won, the neighborhood will still have a movie theater with a wide variety of films showing on its seven screens later this year. It is a victory for the cinema which has faced dire times in recent times and a constantly changing entertainment landscape. It is also a victory for the neighborhood and movie fans for whom seeing films on the big screen are memorable and impressionable experiences. Going to the movies can still be enjoyed locally by Park Slope families.

The theater has come a long way since its beginnings as the Sanders and will reopen just short of its 90th birthday. Back in 1928 it had only one screen and showed only silent films. Some of the famous titles of that time, some still popular, included The General, Metropolis, and City Lights. The Pavilion Theater was even there for the historic ushering in of “the Talkies” where audiences could experience sync sound for the first time.

Despite its historical significance, the Pavilion had obviously become run down throughout the decades. There was vandalism and dwindling maintenance given to spills, litter, and wear and tear. Occasionally the seats were damaged. The theaters did not always have lights, and it was unpredictable whether there would be coming attractions or not. Faithful regulars, though, appreciated occasional bargains and the added convenience of not taking a train out of the neighborhood to watch a new movie.

Nitehawk founder and owner Matthew Viragh was happy to step in and expand his Williamsburg success to Park Slope and said the timing was right to enter into a long-term lease with the new owners of the building. Renovations have been contracted to Brooklyn-based Think Architecture, who plans on preserving the iconic, historic exterior while adding some much-needed updates. The new theater’s appearance will still harken the grand old days of movie-going, but with the renovation underway it should also have the new movie technology modern patrons expect.

The new Nitehawk will offer a dine-in experience and also serve alcohol, just like the Williamsburg location, as the theater successfully led the push to overturn a liquor ban in theaters and became the first dine-in theater to open in New York State in 2011.

“The size of the venue will also allow for quality hollywood blockbuster first-run films as well as independent films. As always, we’ll be very judicious in what we choose,” said Viragh.

The big question is whether Nitehawk will be able to fill enough of its new 650-seat venue despite the current downward trend of ticket sales nationwide. At the now-closed Pavilion one could catch a matinee for $9 compared to the $15 one has to pay in the afternoon in Manhattan. Other Brooklyn theaters — like the Kent Theater on Coney Island Avenue — also offer bargain shows and bargain days and could serve as alternatives for the Pavillion’s former following.

Afterall, to its faithful regulars, the Pavilion was a boon even if the experience at the theater could be described as a little “divey”. Although it was a little nerve racking to watch an action adventure film with only a few other people — the emptiness of the theater making one feel isolated — some of the new chairs could be very relaxing. Personal experiences there have even been described as “peculiar, but magnificent.”

Strange to say, but the last days of the Pavilion might be missed, especially by the low-budget crowd. A fancy new theater might be safer and neater, but not everybody will be able to afford it. Given the theater’s history and location, there is likely to be some pushback from families who must shell out a fair bit of cash now for the new 3D and IMAX action features. Still, while taking someone to see a film there definitely won’t be “five bucking it” for the night — but it won’t be a terribly expensive date either, considering pricier date-night options in the city. The new addition of alcohol might also be a draw for some.

In the end, The Flick by Annie Baker could be an entertaining commentary on the fate of the Pavillion, as it tells the daily drama of the staff in a fictional Massachusetts movie theater challenged by the new entertainment landscape. The staff in the play was up to some of the same things that people see in the films on the big screen. (Incidentally, the play won The Pulitzer for Drama in 2014 with its characters dealing with the change to digital filmmaking.)

An upscale new theater in the neighborhood might provide a more sanitized and safer experience, but, will it attract new people? With inflation and the cheap availability of streaming services, some might not opt to make it to the big screen anymore. In 1928 a film cost only a quarter which adjusted for inflation was about $4, no less.

Film is something that is shared among people; it is something that people can have in common. It is also a way to see things through the eyes of others. Those who don’t take in a story from the “eyes” or in the “shoes” of others can miss the opportunity to expand their awareness and understanding of the world they live in. One will soon be able to do this again first without leaving the neighborhood.