Beating the Heat with the Original Alamo Drafthouse

During the long hot days of the Texas summer, one needs to find a way to beat the heat. Since Austin has become a mecca for indie music fans and Texans in need of a getaway to a city with a more liberal feel, the capital is often overrun with tourists and college students who tend to crowd a lot of the popular places in town to relax. Austin is one of the fastest growing cities in Texas, and many locals who have enjoyed the city in the past are starting to find it too crowded. Fortunately, there's one classic Austin spot that remains unchanged by the shifting tides of this once small-town: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.

The Alamo Drafthouse has several locations around town, but it's important to note the difference between the original Alamo and the ones that have split-off, which are still nice, but lack the same authentic appeal. Original Alamo Drafthouse locations include the Ritz (downtown), the Village (on Anderson Loop), and South Lamar (in South Austin). Stopping at the Drafthouse for a movie is the perfect way to beat the heat, and since most of the college students have gone home for the summer and there aren't any huge events (like SXSW) drawing in the crowds, there should be plenty of space so that you can get a seat to whatever show you'd like. The best thing about the Alamo Drafthouse, however, isn't the movies that they show or the extensive menu of food and drinks that they serve-- it's the special events and series that they have happening all the time!

Alamo offers several signature events, and all of them are worth checking out-- what you choose, however, is completely dependent on your tastes. Rest assured, though, that the original Alamo Drafthouse has something available for everyone!

One of the best events at the Alamo Drafthouse are the Action Pack! Sing-a-long and Quote-a-long events. You can choose to either watch your favourite music videos and sing along with the captions at the bottom of the screen, or you can experience a once-in-a-lifetime brand of fun with the Quote-a-long events, which feature some of everyone's favourite movies, such as Labyrinth, The Goonies, The Big Lebowski, Shaun of the Dead, and The Princess Bride. This is no ordinary event-- the Quote-a-longs involve hands-on action that you won't find anywhere else as the theatre hands out confetti, inflatable swords, poppers, balloons, glow sticks, bubbles, whoopie cushions and other toys to enrich your movie-going experience. You haven't experienced The Princess Bride until you've been able to duel along with Wesley and Inigo, and you'll never think of Monty Python and the Holy Grail in the same way once you've banged coconut shells together along with the cast.

Most Action Pack! events take place at the Alamo Ritz location, but regardless of where you are in Austin, you can find something fantastic to do at one of their locations.