It’s the end of an era at Alamo Drafthouse. Say goodbye to the paper and pens because a new way of ordering is about to takeover and, shockingly, it involves using your phone!
Beginning mid-February, the Austin-born theater chain will officially retire its pen-and-paper food and drink ordering system and move entirely to QR code ordering at all locations, including El Paso. Alamo says the shift is designed to cut down on distractions during movies while making service smoother and more efficient.
What’s Changing at El Paso’s Alamo Drafthouse
When the update rolls out locally, guests at El Paso’s Alamo Drafthouse will scan a QR code at their seat to browse the menu, place food and drink orders, and pay directly from their phone. The company says the ordering system uses a “custom-built dark screen” to keep brightness low inside the theater.
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Orders can still be placed before the movie starts or during the film, and food and drinks will continue to be delivered by servers, just as they are now. So really, it’s not much of a change, but it does seem a bit shocking that phone use will be allowed!
Why Alamo Drafthouse Is Making the Change
According to Alamo, the biggest goal behind the update is reducing interruptions during movies- especially late-film check drops or last-call interactions. By letting guests handle ordering on their own devices, the company says it can move faster while keeping the moviegoing experience as immersive as possible.
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Alamo has also confirmed the move to mobile ordering will not eliminate jobs, and team members will remain available inside the auditorium to help guests who need assistance.
Phone Rules at El Paso Theaters Are Staying the Same
Even with phones now part of the ordering process, Alamo Drafthouse says its strict rules during movies are not changing. Texting, scrolling social media, recording the screen, phone calls, or talking during the movie are still not allowed.
As a movie fan, I have to say that is my favorite thing about Alamo Drafthouse.
Staff members are trained to tell the difference between a dark ordering screen and disruptive phone use, and violations can still result in being removed from the theater.
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions online, especially from longtime fans who loved the traditional paper cards. Alamo says the system has already been tested in select markets with positive results, and that most food and beverage orders already happen before movies begin.
For El Paso movie fans, the biggest takeaway is simple: arrive early, place your order, enjoy the ad-free pre-show- and keep your phone dark once the movie starts. You can learn more here.
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