Thoughts about the new Gold Class Cinemas at The Domain? (Austin: home, theater)

[ImOnFiya]

Hey guys, my friends and I were thinking about trying out the new Gold Class Cinemas at The Domain this weekend. Has anyone been there since it opened to give us a heads-up about the experience?

The Domain Austin - Gold Class Cinemas (http://www.goldclasscinemas.com/Theaters/Austin-Texas.htm - broken link)

I thought read something about tickets being close to $29 dollars, but, that can't be right? Correct?

[llkltk]

It is right. Tickets are 22-29. They are private theaters with 30 seats each. The food/drink are extra. I think it's well worth it because you get the movie and dinner in one place.

I scored a free ticket which I haven't used yet. You have to be 21 or older. I think it's a neat concept. Way more upscale than the Alamo Drafthouse.

[centralaustinite]

You won't find me there! Way too much money. I cannot imagine a single movie that I would pay $29 to see. Plus, I like to see my food. I'd rather indulge in a great restaurant -- like the tasting menu at Wink when I have money to spare.

[XLadylawX]

I know there will be a lot of naysayers about the ticket price of $20 but you have to get beyond that and consider this a special "date-night" sort of venue, not just taking in a flick.

I love that you check in at the counter and your usher takes you to the lounge so you can chat, visit, peruse the menu and select your meal and your topshelf well drinks. Then you are escorted to your theater to your pre-reserved comfy reclining lounger so you can sit and enjoy your movie. Your food is brought to you on nice plates with linen napkins and you can enjoy your cocktail and order more (food or drink) by pushing the handy call button. Afterwards, you can go back out to the lounge, visit with your date or your party and order more drinks if you will (perhaps non-alcoholic at this point).

Another big selling point is that I don't have a teenager on either side of me furiously texting while I'm trying to enjoy the movie.

My conclusion: An over the top fun night at the movies with that special someone or a small group of friends.

[austinnerd]

Any comments about the theater itself? Is it rather small since there are only 30 seats? Do they have digital projectors? I don't mind paying a premium and the atmosphere thing is fine, but by golly the quality of the movie watching is always first and foremost.

[cmaxmor]

I haven't been there, but do not plan on going either. $29 per ticket + the cost of food + the cost of a couple of drinks + babysitter(!) = way more than I'm comfortable spending for a date night. Maybe back in olde tyme days when I had money to burn, but even then I would probably opt for the Alamo and a bucket of beer.

[jobert]

The whole point is to separate the classes. For some people, it's worth $29 not to sit next to someone they consider "undesirable". I don't approve of it personally, but it's their right. Those coming out of the hills west of the Domain don't want to rub elbows with the flatlanders. The contrast between rich and poor is most prevalent in north Austin, making it the perfect location.

[AustinGuy]

I'd say the movie experience may be worth it on occasion, but avoid eating there. The food I've had isn't very good, and usually comes out late and cold. It could be just opening jitters, but it didn't seem like it.

I will say that the seats there are some of the most comfortable seats you'll ever sit in, and they'll even provide you with a blanket so you can recline and go to sleep if the movie stinks.

[AustinGuy]

The screens do not seem small, and some of the bigger theaters have approx 50 seats.

[RevMen]

Originally Posted by jobert

The whole point is to separate the classes. For some people, it's worth $29 not to sit next to someone they consider "undesirable". I don't approve of it personally, but it's their right. Those coming out of the hills west of the Domain don't want to rub elbows with the flatlanders. The contrast between rich and poor is most prevalent in north Austin, making it the perfect location.

I don't think this is the case at all. People who are so concerned about separating themselves from the rest of society would simply invite their wealthy friends over to watch movies in their home theater. I honestly don't think there's a big enough market of these types to justify a whole set of theaters.

Sometimes people just want to do something different and special, and that just might mean paying $29 to watch a movie in a comfy recliner in a small theater with excellent service.

My wife and I don't usually spend $200 for a meal. But sometimes there's a special occasion and we'll go to Uchi, get a bottle of sake, and do it up right. It's not because we want to separate ourselves from the rest of society, it's because we want to do something special.