movie

There is no better way to spend a rainy Saturday than cozying up inside a warm theatre while being served your favorite snacks throughout a newly released film. And, yes, I said throughout the film: truffle popcorn, charcuterie plates, and a full bar are readily available at the newest theatrical addition to Park Slope, the Nitehawk Cinema movie theatre. For those of you who don’t know that these convenient dinner theatres exist around Brooklyn and across the U.S., allow me to introduce to you Prospect Park’s newest addition.

Dinner theatres are for those who thoroughly enjoy going to the movies and, you guessed, total foodies. If you want to watch Bradley Cooper serenade you and get served a hot meal without getting up, we’ve found your sanctuary. 

 Nitehawk Cinema just opened in Prospect Park this past December, taking over a desolate venue, formerly The Pavilion, a theatre which closed in 2016. The theatre are outfitted with newly minted leather seats and a tray like table big enough to hold your “Goonies Never Say Die” signature cocktail, truffle butter popcorn (with ½ priced refills!), and a delicious burger with fries. Make sure to leave room for a whiskey root beer float or spicy Mexican chocolate soft serve ice cream for dessert! 

The way these theatres operate is very simple. You explore the menu and once you know what you would like, simply write it on the paper given and place it upright in the holder. This way the server can see from a distance that you are placing an order. The waiter will then sneak by and grab the order sheet, returning with those tater tots you’ve been craving all night.

There is also a bar outside of the multiple screening rooms where you can continue to enjoy their handcrafted cocktails and snacks after the credits start rolling. A clean and spacious balcony area above the bar is also available for sipping on your beer and lounging with a view of the park.

Nitehawk Cinema has two locations—in Prospect Park and Williamsburg—whereas its national competitor, Alamo Drafthouse, is located in Downtown Brooklyn with two other locations opening soon in the Financial District and Staten Island. Alamo, however, is a national treasure that has 35 locations all over the country, having initially begun its tasty entertainment hustle in Austin, Texas in 1997.

Both theatres have quite versatile menus, ranging from salty and sweet appetizers to heartier options, including vegan and gluten free choices, and assisted by a full bar. Whether munching on the delicious truffle parmesan popcorn at Alamo Drafthouse, or savoring the rich truffle mousse pâte at Nitehawk, you’ll never want to leave your seat (Clearly I have an affinity for anything truffle).

 One of the more creative aspects of Nitehawk Cinema has to be the film puns found in each menu. With new films being released regularly, the venue crafts their cocktails and appetizers to reflect certain movie themes. After the release of On the Basis of Sex, a film following the life and career of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Nitehawk Cinema created the delicious concoction called “RBG Avocado Toast.” This dish consists of ricotta, brussel sprouts, guacamole, lemon, herbs and, of course, avocado over organic French sourdough toast. The Lego Movie 2 inspired another “punny” addition to the menu: the snack “Lego My Waffle,” where you can create your own waffle sandwich stack. Nitehawk does an excellent job keeping their menu up to date and consistently adding more variety (and even more puns) with new movies being premiered. Alamo does, however, have photos of old films stretched across each of their menus, but hardly any creative puns or jokes can be found other than labeling their White Russian cocktail after “The Dude.”

Kristen Anderson, a 25-year-old Park Slope resident, lives just a few blocks away from the new Nitehawk Cinema and is very excited for the new local theatre opening. 

“I’ve been to Alamo [Drafthouse]. We saw Vice and had dinner. We got there early so we could kind of eat before the movie started,” she began. “The food was really good. But I’m excited that this [theatre] is closer. I’ll definitely check it out!”

While the concept of having dinner while watching a film in the theatre sounds luxurious, some people aren’t totally sold on the idea of having waiters serving mid-movie. 

“I feel like bringing in the food was very awkward. They have to duck to not be in your way,” said Bushwick resident Tommy Mosqueira, who went to see Mary Poppins at Nitehawk with his roommate. “I thought it was a cool concept, but I think it could’ve been executed better.”

 Some locals, however, are much more enthusiastic about the dinner theatre world than others. Sara Fowler, a resident of Prospect Place who lives equidistant to Nitehawk Prospect Park and Alamo Drafthouse, thinks highly of both theatres and attends them regularly.

“I’m very fond of both of them,” she starts, “but they each occupy different niches. I think the beer and popcorn are just better here at Nitehawk.” The 26-year-old then described what she ordered during her cinematic adventure.  “I ordered the Nitehawk popcorn which I like because it’s sort of sour and unconventional and tropical with citric acid. It was very good.” She paired it with the Victory Sour beer, an ale from Pennsylvania. 

Nitehawk Cinema is located at 188 Prospect Park West. Now go treat yourself to a cinematic experience you’ll never forget!