At the west end of the 2nd Street District, directly above the soon-to-open How Do You Roll sushi restaurant, will soon be downtown Austin’s latest cinema – The Violet Crown. We reported back in January that 2nd Street District was getting a new movie theater. The Statesman’s Chris Garcia gets the latest info on The Violet Crown. Scheduled to have four screens, with bar/lounge, and opening in December.
The construction will actually expand the mezzanine level by a couple of feet over the sidewalk.
The Violet Crown should make a great addition to the district. At first glance it would appear they are taking on the Alamo Drafthouse head on. However, the Violet Crown might take on a more refined lounge-like experience, trading high ball glasses for buckets of beer.
The removal of the W Hotel’s street barricades this summer will unclog the pedestrian experience in the 2nd Street District, but will be especially welcome to the 400 block that includes BoConcept and La Condessa.
Whether this theatre presents competition to the Alamo or not, it’s a good thing to have mroe choices.
I like the concept.
I’m wondering when someone will bring this kind of entertainment east of IH35, like to Mueller? The east part of the city, especially the northeast, continues to be ignored and we are an audience waiting to be entertained in our own neighborhood.
I totally agree. I think this is a step in a fantastic direction. This isn’t even really competition with alamo, seeing as how violet crown will only show indie, art & foreign flicks.
That is great news. I think there’s room for another theater downtown without taking away from the Alamo.