When Alamo Drafthouse Cinema abruptly announced on a random Friday night that both El Paso locations were shutting down, it honestly felt like we got dumped out of nowhere. One minute we were planning our weekend showtimes, the next minute tickets were getting refunded. Season Pass holders, myself included, got that dreaded prorated refund email. And just like that, a huge part of El Paso movie culture felt like it vanished overnight.

Social media turned into a digital candlelight vigil. Then we found out Flix Brewhouse was stepping in, and some people lost their minds.

And I’ll be honest, some of us were so skeptical and heartbroken we couldn’t imagine another theater taking its place.

But after talking with Flix Brewhouse’s Vice President of Store Operations, David Meillier, and actually sitting down for a preview experience, I walked away feeling… hopeful. Let’s talk through the big worries people have had.

Do They Still Do Classic Movies and Big Themed Events?

Yes. And not in a half-hearted way.

Flix genuinely loves movie culture. They lean into cult classics, anniversary screenings, and full-blown movie parties where you’re encouraged to dress up and go all in. There’s even a Big Lebowski event coming up, which feels very on brand for El Paso’s fellow Dudes. If you loved those communal, nerd-out moments at Alamo, that energy is still alive.

What About a Season Pass?

Okay, this is where it’s a little different.

Flix doesn’t have the same unlimited-style pass. Instead, they run a rewards system. You buy five movies, you get one free. There are food perks and discounts built in too.

For former Alamo Season Pass holders, they’re offering Gold-level benefits through 2026 through their Circle Rewards Program. It’s not identical, but they’re clearly trying to meet us halfway and soften the landing.

Are They Serious About No Talking and No Phones?

Yes. Very serious.

Disruptive guests can be removed without a refund. You can’t show up late once the movie has started. They encourage everyone to arrive about 30 minutes early so you can settle in and order food without chaos.

Phones are technically allowed for mobile ordering, but they ask you to use dark mode and absolutely no flashlights. And honestly, Alamo had already started rolling out mobile ordering too, so you would have had to deal with a phone or two during the movie regardless.

Let’s Talk About the Food

This one surprised me in the best way.

Flix brews their own beer. Some of it has literally won awards. They’ve even got creative cocktails for people who aren’t beer fans. And the food? It’s made fresh in house and it tastes like someone actually cared while making it.

I can name maybe one or two Alamo items I was loyal to. After a five-course media tasting at Flix, I already have multiple go-to picks. And yes, the churro doughnut holes are dangerous. Keep reading to see a full gallery of some delicious movie food straight from Flix themselves.

Bottomless Popcorn?

Yes. The classic popcorn is bottomless.

The specialty flavors aren’t unlimited, but here’s the cool part: once you finish your fancy flavor, you can switch to unlimited classic popcorn at no extra charge. That feels like a win.

What’s the Deal With the Automatic 18 Percent Gratuity?

Flix automatically adds 18 percent, and it’s distributed among the service team. If you feel the service didn’t meet expectations, you can request an adjustment.

Personally, I tend to tip high anyway, so it doesn’t bother me. I get why some people prefer to decide for themselves. At least there’s flexibility if you truly feel it wasn’t earned.

One of the most important things David made sure to emphasize to me was this: the former Alamo staff were hired back. The people who created that vibe? They’re still here. Your favorite bartenders. Your go-to servers. The energy didn’t disappear.

I got to experience this preview lunch with my good friend and fellow film nerd Christian Churches, and even as someone who loved Alamo deeply, he walked away feeling excited and even hopeful that Flix may actually be a great replacement to Alamo. They even have those awesome custom curated pre-show experiences instead of gross commercials like those other theaters!

Change is hard, especially when it messes with something we loved. But after seeing what Flix is bringing to the table, I’m genuinely optimistic. It still feels like a place that respects movies and the people who love them.

And that matters.

Flix Brewhouse Pints & Bites Food Menu

Media outlets were invited to a special 5-Course Meal tasting of all the delicious food theyre bringing to the table. Including things no one is doing in theaters, like Beef Bulgogi or Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese!!

Gallery Credit: Grizz

PHOTOS: A Look Inside The Pizza Joints New East El Paso Location

Pizza Joint opened their doors to their 4th El Paso location located in Horizon and the new spot is not like the other locations!

Gallery Credit: Courtesy: Iris Lopez

Remembering The Alamo Movie Theaters In El Paso

Both Alamo Movie theaters in El Paso closed abruptly but they were gems for the movie loving community here in the city. We honor them with photos from Christian Churches Photography.

Gallery Credit: Grizz