Favorite Things Friday: Warren Theater

The Boy and I don’t always share the same opinion on leisure activities. I mean, we enjoy the same categories of things – board games, dinners out with friends, movies – but not the same types of those things.

• For example, I like to play games like Clue and Life – games where you try to win, but you don’t have to emotionally crush the other players to do it. You just do your best! The Boy, however, prefers things like Smash Up and Risk – where, apparently, the best way to win is not just to beat your opponents, but to totally and completely ruin their lives beyond repair (*laughs* I kid…but…not really…)
• Or, while I prefer to try out weird restaurants with unexpected food pairings and ingredients, the Boy would much rather check out that sketchy little burger dive down the street (which, to his credit, usually does have amazing food).
• OR, when choosing movies, I’m much more likely to happily sit through a Disney sing-alongable or predictable RomCom, the Boy prefers to watch gigantic, terrifying robot creatures make a huge mess of the Large Nondescript City of the Day (I mean, really? Who’s going to clean that up? Do they understand how much that’s going to cost? I have nightmares about the messes.)

One thing we DO agree on, however, no matter what, is WHERE we’re going to see a movie. So much so that we don’t even discuss it. It’s a given. And, trust me, if y’all lived here and had been, you’d understand.

We see movies at the Warren. End of story. Everyone should come visit us so we can take you. Or, don’t, because it will forever ruin your theater going experience from then on.

What makes it so awesome, you ask? I don’t even know where to start.

There are like 5 different theater options – we’ve tried three so far.

Grand Auditorium & Balcony

• The Director’s Suite: their exclusive, 21+ theater that only seats about 30. The seats are gigantic, overstuffed, heated pillows that recline at the push of a button. In addition, the theater features full menu, to-your-seat service (from the restaurant or bar), and access to the Director’s Lounge before and after the show.
• Thoughts: For a girl who’s perpetually cold (and occasionally sneaks a blanket into theaters), the idea of heated, reclining seats was too awesome to pass up. Plus, drinks and food delivered to us while we watched a movie? Yes, please! We had an appetizer (spicy green beans with ranch), dinner (wood fired pizza & ...whatever The Boy had... ), and fancy drinks (fun, themed ones!).
• The Balcony: Less intimate than the Director’s Suite experience, but still awesome, the Balcony is in the second floor portion of the Grand Auditorium (more info below). Like the DS, it is also 21+ and features to-your-seat service. While you don’t have access to the Director’s Lounge, you can visit Oscar’s Lounge – with full service bar & restaurant. Also, the seats don’t recline, but the screen is gigantic…so you win some, you lose some.
• The Grand Auditorium: The largest of their non-IMAX theaters, this is a nice step-up from the Gen Admission theaters. The seats are spaced further apart, the screen is gigantic, and the décor is reminiscent of a classical stage theater. No seat service or other fancy amenities, but also no fancy price tag.
• The General Admission Theaters: Just regular ol’ theaters…but clean, with nice seats, and stadium seating. No complaints here.
• The IMAX: We haven’t checked this out yet, but just look at it. Amazing, right?

We’ve visited the Director’s Suite, the Grand Auditorium, and the Gen Admission theaters – not a bad experience in any of them.

In addition, they also have:

• The Warren Diner: a 1940’s soda-fountain themed restaurant that serves all sorts of yummy food and desserts (plus, if you don’t finish your meal before your show, you can take it with you).
• A Game Room: haven’t checked it out, but it looks like more fun than your average theater game room
• A Cry Room: with its own sound system so parents can take their upset kiddos out of the theater but still see the movie (WHY DON'T ALL THEATERS HAVE THIS?!?)

And one of the best parts: these little guys!

After your show, there are spiffily dressed employees standing outside the doors offering after-show mints. And not just lame ol’ peppermints, no no. These are soft peppermint clouds covered in dark chocolate! Gah…I totally don’t grab a handful and toss ‘em in my purse…

So, yeah. Y’all should come visit so we can show off!

Happy Weekend, friends!