How to Dine in the Dark at Alamo Drafthouse

Dark dining is a whole restaurant movement for the epicurious. It’s probably not at the top of your mind when going to the movies during awards season — yet scarfing down some casual cuisine in the quiet blackness of an auditorium has become the standard. As cineplexes copy Alamo Drafthouse and add in-theater dining with extensive menus, eating in the dark can enhance your experience. However, bad etiquette can ruin everything for everyone around you very quickly.

Here are some tips on how to enjoy your meal in a discreet fashion.

Order Before the Lights Go Down 

Alamo staff will try to encourage you to place your order before the lights go down, and you should abide by their advice. Getting your order situated early will cut down on servers motioning around in the dark, and eliminate the need to navigate the menu by the tiny light under the table. If you’re looking to order something else later, go ahead and pick it out (and fill out one of those order cards) in advance.

Wait for Your Sight to Adjust 

Things will seem pretty dim when the lights first go down, with your food practically disappearing from your table along with the overhead lights. Give it a minute: Your eyes will get used to the light levels before too long and your food in front of you will reappear soon enough.

Don’t Order Something with Silverware

Alamo and their ilk pride themselves on being quiet sanctums of the screen, and then immediately betray that pledge by handing out cutlery whose inevitable purpose is to bang and clang on the ground — a soundscape James Cameron definitely did not have in mind for his aquatic masterpiece. Skip this and stick to the finger foods: burgers, sandwiches, mozzarella sticks, buffalo cauliflower, pizzas and so forth.

Ask for Extra Napkins

Nothing will ruin your $20 movie ticket faster than a glob of BBQ sauce landing directly in your lap. Get those extra napkins early, and you’ll be ready for whatever inevitable mess you make during the thrilling conclusion of “TÁR.”

photo: Alamo Drafthouse