The rollout date is set for the end of the month.

AUSTIN, Texas — The days of ordering with pen and paper at Alamo Drafthouse theaters are numbered, with lingering questions over how a shift to mobile ordering will impact moviegoers and staff. 

Samuel Polay has been an employee for the Slaughter Lane location since 2021. Along with the Alamo Drafthouse on South Lamar Boulevard, it is one of two locations that are unionized.

Polay recounted the times he’s gone to Drafthouse on his personal time and the memory of his first date with his fiancée. 

“I like working there because it’s just a great way to deliver an experience to people that most movie theaters aren’t providing anymore,” said Polay. 

The popular move theater chain announced last month that instead of writing down food and drink orders with pen and paper, guests will place orders through the company’s app. It’s a move Polay said will strip the unique experience that separates the theaters from others. Currently, locations have a QR code on the tables when someone gets to their seats, and they can order before the movie starts.

Guests will also be required to tattletale on each other, which Polay feels will be more of a distraction, on top of taking away from the big screen. 

“The advantage of the old system is just that your phone can’t come out, and if it comes out at all, you can report someone being on their phone and it’ll be taken care of quickly, quietly and anonymously,” said Polay. “We’re not just creating more work for the guest, but we’re also requiring the guest to take themselves out of the experience even more.”


‘We’re all just trying to enjoy a movie’

For Austin Film Critics Association President Jonathan Partridge, it’s a blow to the film community. 

“The point of a film critic is to critique. It’s to dig in. It’s to appreciate on different levels and help people understand the movie on those different levels. It’s not too dissimilar from what a film fan is doing,” said Partridge.

The association released a lengthy statement when the initial news came out. 

Partridge added if anything, the use of mobile devices contradicts the company’s primary message of silencing one’s cellphone in the theater and could cause a ripple effect. 

 “If we’re losing this solid bastion of cinema, then others might follow, and that is depriving us of a very unique experience,” said Partridge.

The announcement from Alamo Drafthouse said the rollout will happen sometime in February. A source told KVUE that date will be Feb. 23 for the Austin-area theaters.

KVUE reached out to company to get confirmation and asked questions about all these concerns, but we’re still waiting for a response. 

The company said there will be no layoffs for employees, and the base wages will stay the same, but Polay is skeptical. 

“The only way that you can find efficiencies there is just giving people less hours,” said Polay. 

He added there also isn’t a firm date for the Slaughter Lane location. Since employees are part of a union, talks still need to be had. 

“We’re willing to work with them,” said Polay. “The ball’s in their court if they want to work with us.”