With a full restaurant, craft cocktails, comfortable reclining seats and even more bells and whistles, this new movie theater in Hell’s Kitchen takes the moviegoing experience to the next level. LOOK Dine-in Cinemas will open on Thursday, May 4 at VIA 57 West, the pyramid-shaped building located at West 57th Street and 11th Avenue.
Under a 15-year lease, LOOK operates in a 25,000-square-foot space that housed the Landmark Cinema until it closed in 2020. This is the company’s first New York City location, joining 11 other LOOK Dine-in Cinemas across the country. We got a sneak peek at the cinema today with LOOK’s Chief Financial Officer James Meredith and have the full picture of what to expect when it opens.
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A powerful visual experience
The theater houses eight auditoriums, ranging in size from 20 seats to 150 seats. Each is equipped with wall-to-wall laser projection technology for a clear, vivid viewing experience, plus surround sound. Two of the eight auditoriums are called PX (or Premium Experience) screening rooms with additional speakers in the ceilings, making it an ideal venue for movie lovers.
Theaters are also equipped with A/V systems to host special events such as film festivals and Q-and-A sessions with filmmakers.
LOOK renovated the theater from its predecessor to add new projection and sound technology, as well as dining and reclining seating functionality.
Comfortable seats
You can really sit back and relax in these comfortable leather seats with recliners and footrests. For those who are always cold in the cinema, don’t worry if you forget a sweater: Each seat is equipped with its own heater.
A unique dining experience
A large table tray sits in front of each seat, which you can slide closer to you to eat and remove when you’re done. As for food options, traditional movie snacks like popcorn ($10/large), candy ($6/each) and Coca-Cola ($7/large) are sold at the concession stand.
But you can also get a full meal at Mirabella’s Lounge, located inside the venue. you can eat there or take the food to the theater. Additionally, there are QR codes on every table inside the theater so you can place your order during the movie and have it brought directly to your seat.
Menu options include burgers, nachos, salads, wings, pizzas and milkshakes. In addition, the menu boasts an array of craft cocktails, including the LOOK-a-rita, the Manhattan and some special concoctions for the opening, including the Pineapple Express.
Black-clad servers deftly enter the theater with food orders, careful not to interrupt the experience. Meredith calls them “ninja servers” for their cat-like reflexes. But if you don’t want any disturbance during the movie, opt for a show at the PX auditoriums. While these seats are still equipped with food trays, you can’t order in the theater, meaning staff won’t come in during the show.
Plus, anyone is welcome to dine at Mirabella’s even if they’re not going to the movies, Meredith said, adding that they want to create “a sense of community” in the space.
Variety of movie types and showtimes
With everything from matinees to midnight screenings, the theater aims to cater for everyone from families with children to couples on a date night. The theater will also screen a variety of films, from the latest blockbusters to children’s films to independent and art films.
A view of it Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will kick off the grand opening, with other opening weekend movies The movie Super Mario Bros, Evil Dead Rise, Are you there God? I’m Margaretand Polite Society.
Sale days on Tuesdays
If you’re looking for a bargain, movie tickets are on sale every Tuesday. As for regular pricing, adult movie tickets at LOOK range from about $13 to $18, depending on show time and movie. Tickets are on sale now.
An elevated experience overall
The theater strives to become “a premier entertainment option,” and Meredith knows that can come down to small things like clean bathrooms and welcoming staff. LOOK focuses on all the details (think: scented candles in the bathroom and fresh flowers at the ticket booth) to make the experience feel different from the traditional movie theater.
Plus, it’s in a really nice space—The Durst Organization’s iconic VIA 57 West, designed by Bjarke Ingels. Find LOOK Dine-in Cinemas at 657 West 57th Street, about a 15-minute walk from Columbus Circle.
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