Cinebarre offers full frills for local moviegoers

Published 9:26 pm Tuesday, June 9, 2009

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE

Gone are the snack bars with hot dogs dancing on the roller grill and soft drinks in a size that currents can circulate. Gone are the video games and sticky carpets. What does remain at the former Regal Mountlake 9 are first-run films in a facility that has undergone a facelift, name change and orientation to suit a new movie and dining entertainment concept, Cinebarre.

At a time when most businesses are reducing services in order to attract patrons in challenging economic times, it is quite the opposite at Cinebarre, where full-frills is de rigueur. The name itself blends cinema, bar and restaurant into one in an effort to set consumer expectations before they walk in the door. Cinebarre is a “21 and older” establishment.

“We want to give the mature audience the experience of enjoying a meal and watching a movie the way it was meant to be: without common distractions of traditional movie theatres,” says Terrell Braly, CEO for the Asheville, N.C.-based theatre group that has partnered with Regal.

Evaluating sites across the country, Braly reports that Seattle’s prime demographics were key in setting Cinebarre in the area. “The Mountlake Terrace Cinebarre is a destination, not just a neighborhood entertainment facility.”

Snack bars were removed, replaced with a beverage lounge in the lobby. In the theater, new screens, sound systems and high backed seats were installed. Seating row numbers were reduced to make way for bench tables in each row for food and drink to rest upon.

“The snack bar of the past is gone,” says Braly. “You’ll find great food and an extensive selection of wine, bottled beer in both domestic and imports, and regional microbrews on draft.” While traditional trappings of movie snacks may be gone, popcorn, a movie-goers staple, remains sans oil and is rather served up with real butter.

The original nine theater format has been reduced to eight, using that space to craft a commercial kitchen. From that kitchen, made-to-order appetizers, entrees and desserts are created and delivered to diners either in the lobby or at their seats. Throughout the movie showings servers cruise the seating areas picking up order sheets and delivering drink and food orders. Pizza, created with fresh dough and sauce; freshly ground burgers; hand-cut fries and onions rings; plus sandwiches and salads are on the menu.

In addition to full-frills, Cinebarre is also about getting more value for the dollar, according to Braly. Movie tickets are $10 or less. Pizzas are $13 or less, burgers $10 or less and popcorn is $6.

While the concept does aim at presenting first-run films, Braly says that special events plus art film screenings and showings of locally produced films will be sought out to play a part at Cinebarre.

Mountlake Terrace’s Cinebarre is the company’s fourth venture. In addition to the Asheville theater, the concept is open in Charleston, S.C., and Denver.