Visited Violet Crown for the first time yesterday and really enjoyed the experience. Initially I was a little put off by the assigned seating, but looking back on it I think it's a good idea. It did eliminate the people you usually see randomly standing around, trying to find a seat after the movie has already started. Speaking of seating, the seats are leather (or close to it) and are very comfortable. Even better, there is TONS of leg room and my 6'5" frame had plenty of room to stretch out. Considering it's downtown, parking is also fairly easy. There's a garage attached to the theater, and it's free with validation. One of the nicer theaters I've been to, and other than dealing with the usual hassle of downtown, it was a great experience. I'd go again. read more

Ok, first off, I carry a lot of baggage when I go to the movies. I'm a die-hard lover of the old Alamo on 12th and Colorado...which has blessed me with great memories of all you can eat spaghetti western nights and Tarantino festivals with awful movies. I am also cursed with comparing every cinema I go to with my beloved memories...which does not usually bode well for any experience. Enter Violet Crown. First thing I noticed, cool movies in the theater! Seriously, not your run of the mill stuff...which reminds me of the good ole days.. This place has HAPPY HOUR?! YES! $3 Pecan Porters and Firemans drafts to name a few? SIGN ME THE FUCK UP! How refreshing...not being boned any time you want a beer at a theater...haven't seen that in a while *cough Drafthouse, cough* Food wise, rocked some fries and one of their pizzas. The pizza was 9-10 clams...better than D-house again since last I was there and the same size and WAY better taste. Fries came with a great mayo dipping sauce which tickled the European stooge in me. Theater wise, I watched a documentary with lots of talky talky, but the way the sound system directed all that weeny sound...I can just imagine the wonders it does with explosions and testosterone bulging movies. I could go into more details about how much better this place is compared to what the Drafthouse is and has become...but please, don't let me spoil it. Go for an early show, enjoy the cheap drafts and check it out for yourself read more

I like coming here because they have a good selection of films that I want to see. Mostly it's arthouse/independent cinema. I don't have to drive all the way north to the Arbor Regal Cinema to see the films. I can come to downtown which is close to where I live. I know Alamo Drafthouse has a small selection of independent cinema but I end up spending more that I should to see a film. Here I can watch the film and not care about buying any food. They validate parking for 4 hours. When I was in line, I usually go up to the ticket booth but the person was on a call with a customer. The person at the concession stand said "I can help you". I thought to myself "I really don't want to buy any food. I ate a big breakfast with my crewmates. Are trying to make me buy food? I just want a ticket to see SHAME." Lo and behold I can buy a ticket at the concession stand. Also they announce when they are seating 5 minutes before the film starts. While you are finding your seat the trailers come on and you have to find your seat. I think they need to clearly mark the aisles so you can see in the dark. The seats are comfortable and there is premium seating in the front. I rather sit in B or C aisle so I can see the film straight on and not have to slightly look up. The lobby is small and when the afternoon sun comes down it becomes way too bright. They also have a cafe which I have yet to try out. The staff were very nice and professional. read more

This place is COOL! And has free parking for 4 hours downtown...I've gone to several dine in theaters in Austin and this one is my favorite bc of its size. Smaller theater, don't expect a mega-screen, but I really liked it bc theres no hustle-bustle and just feels more relaxed. Food was great, had tofu lettuce wraps and avocado spring rolls (Thank You! for the vegetarian selection). You order at the bar and there are plenty of tables to hang out at before the movie starts. Didn't take food in, seat trays reminded me on an airplane train. Only downside is the only had 1 bartender and he was going as fast as possible to keep up and was real friendly. But, got behind a 6 top ordering and it took about 15 minutes for a drink refill. There were 2 or 3 people working the food side, one of them should've hopped over to help him. read more

This place is 2/2 so far for me. It's a GREAT bar and a GREAT cinema. I've yet to try the food, but perhaps soon. First, for the cinema, it's particularly awesome since they show films that may be hard to find elsewhere, but also often at least one major name film, which is a nice variety to have at a small cozy cinema like this. Also, the popcorn they sell isn't the usual movie theatre popcorn - it's of the same style, but of much higher quality. That is to say, it was DELICIOUS. Second, for the bar, the bartenders themselves give off a certain distant vibe, which is interesting since they are still friendly but in a professional way. I've had a few different drinks there, both super high caliber, but my favorite has to be the sissie lynn, particularly because I've been with people who have tried it who usually hate bourbon/whiskey but they loved this one. Overall, awesome place, and I'll probably try the food sometime soon. read more

What to say... Really, I just wanted to see "Midnight In Paris" and not at the dank theatre in the mall. Violet Crown was the only other option. I didn't really get into everything the theatre has to offer (arrived late, didn't really know what to expect). I liked: the small viewing room, the comfy seats, the popcorn (yes, the popcorn), the reserved seating, the knowledge that if I had gotten there a bit earlier I coulda had a cocktail or perused the menu and maybe ordered something. I disliked: the odd smell in the lobby and the walk-in freezer that was the viewing room itself. Really?! I'm complaining about how COLD it was? In the middle of August? In TEXAS? Yes. Yes, I am. Just because I don't like it being 105+ degrees outside every single day does not mean I'd like it to be 50 either. I've not yet experienced any other business, theatre, restaurant, market or other establishment being kept that cold. Don't take this the wrong way, I still recommend it, just know before you go. It's cold in there. Next time I'll bring a jacket and probably partake in their non-snack menu. read more

Violet Crown Cinema strikes a balance between the proletariat sensibilities of Alamo Drafthouse and the bourgeois decadence of Gold Class Cinema. You walk up some stairs to the entrance. Inside to your left is the ticketing area. Ahead is a bar and a movie candy counter. To the right is a dining area. The menu is better than pub fare but below snooty restaurant fare. Since this venue seems to be the sole member of its species, I feel comfortable saying the food is authentic. We ordered some cocktails and some avocado spring rolls. The service was fast, the food was good, and the prices were not outrageous. I suppose you can walk in and get tickets, but we booked ours in advance on their website. Thumbs up to the website; since Violet Crown has reserved seating, the site actually shows you which seats are available. About ten minutes before the movie started, a fellow with a Lyle Lovett haircut walked into the lobby and announced that it was to enter our theater. (We saw "Midnight in Paris", a wonderful movie.) You can take your food into the theater if you want, but unlike the Alamo Drafthouse, you cannot actually order inside the theater. Each theater seats about 40 people. The seats are very comfortable. The screen itself is surprisingly big, and the sound system was fine. We watched a handful of previews, but there were no commercials. (When I am King, commercials shall be banned from all theaters.) I liked this place. It felt trendy without being over the top. I'll still go to the Drafthouse most of the time but I'll definitely visit Violet Crown Cinema again. read more

My favorite theater of all time. It's the perfect combination of comfortable & classy. For a movie theater, it's as clean as it gets and offers a good selection of alcoholic drinks and desserts. For those hot summer days, the 4 hour validated garage parking is half the incentive to coming here. I can't say enough good things about this theater. Oh and all the movies they pick to show are good. read more

This theater has the comfiest seats I've ever sat in at a movie theater. Ever. It's not even a contest. Seriously, they're plucked straight out of an extra-plush 1980s Cadillac or something, only formed into a bucket instead of a bench. I actually prefer these to the balcony recliners at Alamo Ritz since they're a tad firmer and more supportive, plus the visibility is excellent even if you're short. They're *that* good. The theaters are small, but you can pick your seats. Picture quality is excellent. Everything is nice and clean--no sticky icky floors when you walk over to your seat. They specialize in indie-type movies, so if that's your thing, you're going to be a very happy bunny with what they have to show. I think that helps keep many of the noisytards out--if you're not serious about movies, you're probably going to go see something else, someWHERE else. Parking is easy to find and validated at the desk when you show them your ticket. Being able to order tickets online is awesome, too. I love that there's a variety of healthier munchies (hummus, anyone?) along with a small selection of the usual candy. Oh, and there's a full coffeeshop-type setup. The espresso drinks are a billion times better than Starbucks and I could bring mine right into the theater. YES! I'd go back here in a heartbeat. It's a wonderful, pleasant little theater. read more

Violet Crown might be one of the coolest cinemas we've ever been to. Situated on the first floor in the middle of Austin, the theater already has its location going for it. And when entering it, you'll notice that they've totally got the nonchalant ambiance covered as well. On the right is a chic lounge-y bar area that serves great cocktails and, in true Austin fashion, the beer selection is exactly on point, and they have an outdoor balcony. Waiting for one's movie to start was never this comfortable. Like the bar area, the screen rooms are well put together as well: petite and ultra cozy. All you have to do, is grab some drinks, order some snacks (they arguably serve the best French fries we've ever had in a cinema) and enjoy the show; Violet Crown offers a solid overall viewing experience and was perfect for see 'Cafe Society'. read more

I am a big fan of the idea of reserved seating which allows for strolling in right when the movie starts instead of almost an hour before. That was nice. The local draft beer and drink specials were really great too. I wanted to really love this place, but for the price of the ticket and the fact that you are locked into a seat, I would've expected to not have to deal with a really sticky fold-up table. It was gross and made me uncomfortable. read more

Our experience at the Violet Crown was not all we hoped it would be. It started off nicely - we had appetizers in the bar. The pork tapas and Mediterranean plate were both delish, and our server was very nice. I would probably have dinner elsewhere next time and have one of the dishes for a snack. They're not really meal sized and a little pricy. It was very cold in the bar, so I ventured to the snack bar to see if I could get some hot tea for the movie showing. No dice. Bummer. The snack bar dude was unhelpful all around. And if you're going to charge $5 for a chocolate bar, get something interesting and high quality like Theo. The theater was small but nice, the seats were comfy. But it was fricking freezing in there. My other complaint was the sound quality, at least in that theater (#2) was kind of hollow and poor. I noticed it during the previews and it continued into the movie, making it very difficult to understand the dialogue at times. I would go back (armed with a heavy sweater and a thermos) if something I wanted to see was playing there exclusively, but by and large I am an Alamo girl. read more

Violet Crown you've got some kinks to work out but you're a cute little place! The staff here is fantastic. Great crew of friendly workers, happy to assist. The seating is a little strange - assigned. I like that, I can get there late and know I'll be sitting with the person I bought a ticket for. The brews are decent. I like that too, I can get some good local beer on tap. The movies are good. At least Circo was -- the old people in back of us were priceless. Sadly we had a seating crises and they were in our seats (we didn't care) but I guess they didn't really have seats as they moved again when another couple arrived. I love how young, old, hipster, not cool (me) and anyone else with a prized golden ticket are welcome in the Violet Crown. The free parking is a huge perk except look at an actual map before you get downtown - no time to be lost! Unfortunatly we were lost and paid $7.00 for parking because the actual AMLI lot is scary looking with it's "YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO PARK HERE PUBLIC PATRONS!!!!" Hmph, had I actually read I would have noted I wasn't the public. No worries, next time I've got it! It's the huge garage next to the Sushi place. May try the food next time, maybe not. So many tasty options in the vicinity. If you're not one of the cool kids definitely spring for an earlier show. My usual flip flops had me sticking out like a sore thumb. read more

There are so many reasons to adore the Violet Crown: 1. Excellent quality movies!! The best current independent, foreign films and documentaries. 2. Intimate theaters - you can never get a bad seat and the smaller rooms give you the feeling you're enjoying a private screening. 3. The chairs are very comfy. 4. Reserved seats - I love not having to get to a theater early only to hurry up and stand in line. 5. No pre-show how-great-is-our-theater-brand, commercials or subliminal concession marketing. Only one brief reminder to turn off your cell and a couple good previews, then your show starts. 6. Eats are two ways: the traditional movie house vending (popcorn, candies, soda), or you can go for something with a little more substance at the bar café (my personal favorite is the Mediterranean plate). 7. Enjoy an upscale cocktail with your movie, or a Texas pint on tap. 8. Free parking!! read more

I was recently in Violet Crown Cinema to catch a film and while the experience wasn't great, it wasn't terrible either. Located on the second level in the 2nd Street district, this is an intimate theater / cafe. It's a little strange when you actually walk in. There are two counters: one for typical movie theater snacks like popcorn, candy, and soda, and the second counter is for cooked to order food and drinks (cocktails and beer). What's strange about this is there isn't a clear location to purchase tickets. There is, however, a random table with a computer sitting near the entrance for you to buy your tickets, but on my visit it wasn't working properly. First of all, this station doesn't accept cash and the credit card reader wasn't working. Not one employee offered to help me or even acknowledged my struggle. So finally I approached the snack counter and asked where I could buy a movie ticket and I was told that I could buy tickets at the snack counter. The whole process was unclear and a little strange. You aren't allowed to enter the theater until 10 minutes before showtime, so if you arrive early you will need to wait around, and unfortunately seating is quite minimal in the lobby. Parking is available in a nearby garage and your parking is validated at the snack counter making it free! All theaters here are small and intimate and everything is spotlessly cleaned. Because the theater is smaller there aren't as many movie options. A lot of smaller scale and Indie films with limited release are shown at this theater which I really like! read more

This is a place that used to intimidate me. What I used to think - People here gotta be cool (hipsters, film know it alls) - People gotta be $ to pay for parking somewhere too What I thought afterwards: This place is amazing! Parking validation for 4 hours. So after watching a movie, my fiancee and I decided to walk around downtown and pump the Austin downtown economy with our wallets =) There is a nice bar and lounge if you arrive early - or want to stay late. Every seat is also a great seat. A friend tipped us to choose the seats in the front. Why? Because the front row seats get ottoman's for their legs. I guess you could do that on the other rows, but your ottoman would be the seat in front of you . . . not sure if that person would be happy smelling your sweaty but well manicured feet. Anyways, prices for the tickets were around $9 each. I live in East Austin. Regal in the Arbor has independent films but it's a drive and an older theater. The Violet Crown is a great location with new things coming up all the time. Definitely a great date spot. Catching a movie and getting a bite in downtown is made easier because of the Violet Crown. read more

Love love love!!! Like an upscale Alamo drafthouse in concept, sans stress and hold the pretension. (Not that Alamo is pretentious, but that I was concerned Violet Crown might be.) First you order tickets online. Bonus #1: no surcharge for online purchase. Bonus #2: Reserve your seat in advance. Next you get to the theater and park in the garage below the theater, which is free when you get your ticket validated and is good for four hours. Yay! Super friendly service from the moment we walked in the door. The hostess asked if we had been before, to which we told her no. She explained everything. Order food and drinks in the dining area. Sit and relax before the movie until they begin seating five minutes prior to the show. Feel free to take food/drink into the theater. As you have already reserved seats online, there isn't a mad dash when the theater opens. We took a seat at the bar and got cozy. A marg for boyfriend and Live Oak hefe for me. We also tried the prosciutto pizza, which was delicious. With five minutes until our movie they announced our theater was now seating. Boyfriend ordered another drink to take into the theater, and we leisurely made our way to our seats. Random side note #1: The bathrooms smell ridiculously good. Dear Violet Crown Cinema, what is this scent and where can I buy it? The theater itself is fairly small, but there is a decent amount of leg room, i.e. definitely enough for my five foot threes to stretch out without kicking the seat in front of me. The chairs are comfortable. The fold out tabletop can in fact fit a plate of pizza and two drinks. I might also mention that the movie we saw, Buck, was completely amazing and I'm pretty sure I cried through approximately 62% of the film. Random side note #2: Despite the fact that boyfriend usual ends up paying for movies, I am in fact still totally poor and must take into consideration the prices. $11 for a week day movie, but $13 for a weekend movie. Yikes. Plus the cost of food/drinks. My wallet hurts at the thought. read more

Things that impressed: - Free parking in the attached garage and clearly marked signs that show you to the theatre entrance. - Reserved seating! That's exciting cuz you can sit where you want without having to show up crazy early. - Show documentaries/independent films you might not otherwise get a chance to see in theatres. - Very stylish lounge. - Serve food & drinks (which I didn't try, so I can't speak on the quality of these) - Lots of leg room in the theatre - Few previews and no commercials before the show Things that were meh: - None of the workers were very friendly. I guess if I were working at 10 PM on a Friday night, I wouldn't be very happy either, but... shrug. - The customer service/ticketing desk is sort of inconspicuous. I mean, it's a small foyer so you figure it out after a couple of seconds, but when you walk in and the place is hoppin', your eye is totally drawn to everywhere else BUT the ticket counter. A sign might be nice. - For all that the rest of the place is swanky, the bathrooms were still very much movie-theatre bathrooms, haha. - Because of assigned seating, they don't open until 5 minutes before the screening, so if you don't want to get food or drink in the lounge, you're kind of just awkwardly standing about in the foyer, and then a guy comes around announcing that they're seating for your movie. There must be a more efficient way to go about this. All in all, a fun experience. It's kind of "apples and oranges" comparing it to the Drafthouse, so just don't. It's its own thing. Come and find out. =) read more

I'll start this review off by saying that I heard a lot of really excellent things about this cinema before I went there so, overwhelmingly positive expectations taken into account, get your grains of salt ready. I arrived about fifteen minutes before my movie having purchased tickets and reserved seats online. I went up to the counter and got my will-call tickets and felt pretty confident about this theatre arrangement. It looked nice. There were lots of dark woods and "coming soon" posters for interesting movies lined the walls. They even offered validated parking (up to 4 hours). Then I was informed of something that made the entire theatrical experience something of a travesty: they had no table service. I had been told by numerous acquaintances that this place was "like the Alamo, only better" and, when it comes to how the food tastes, I may have to agree with them. However, the Alamo has one thing that Violet crown doesn't offer: a waitstaff. Hell, the one downtown even offers cocktails. As to the food? I had an overpriced grilled chicken and prosciutto sammy with lemon/garlic aioli. It was better by a step or two than the glorified bar food at the aformentioned cinema but nothing to write home about. The lights came on before the film was over and we had to clear our own plates. Oh, shit, I forgot to mention the worst part about the lack of table service: when our food was ready the little restaurant-style-waiting-device didn't even vibrate. It LIT UP. So I had to keep it on my lap and keep an eye on it to notice when it was time to leave the film and head to the cafe. Also, I can only imagine it was terribly distracting for the other patrons. All in all? You're going to have to do a *lot* better than that to impress me. read more

The only real "independent" theater in town gets a thumbs up from me. (No offense Drafthouse, I love you too, but I wish you'd devote at least one of your locations to serving up exclusively arthouse/retro/independent/doc. programming.) I wanted to get beer -- nice-looking bar with some good deals -- but realized I was falling asleep, so my boyfriend and I figured we'd get some coffee to perk us up before taking in a film. Delicious Americano and espresso here, and we loved the Dublin Dr. Pepper. The popcorn was pretty cold but overall not bad. Love the ambiance of the place... very sleek, modern look inside, with cozy seating for a pre-movie snack, and a nice patio overlooking the street outside. The theaters themselves are really nice, and after learning the hard way to show up to the Drafthouse super early (or sit in the front row), I appreciate the reserved seating. Also, this is the only theater where I would recommend sitting in the front row (recliners, foot rests!); we sat on the end somewhere in the middle, and had a perfect view, too. Great picture quality and, contrary to prior reviews of this place, the audience wasn't annoying and they didn't leave the lights on throughout the film. I'll be back again soon. read more

Great location and i love their movies but apparently my husband and I (50s) aren't hip enough to warrant service in their eating area. The staff was too busy jacking around behind the bar. We had to request service twice during our one meal... And there was only 2 other tables occupied. We will take our business to Alamo Drafthouse and the Regal Arbor read more

Cinema heaven. If you are a serious film lover, this is the best theater in Austin. Don't get me wrong - I love the Alamo. I love the pre-show programming and the wide variety of snacks, but for the pure film-going experience, Violet Crown is tops. The theaters are small and dark and you are right there, up close and personal with the piece of art unspooling before your very eyes. And I say "art" because you won't find the latest action movie blockbuster here. VC shows independent and foreign films, documentaries, and limited-release studio films. I live south, and it's nice not to have to go up to the Arbor to catch a flick. The tickets are more expensive, but to me it's worth it if there's a movie I really want to see. The reserved seating is great, and has worked so well that the Alamo theaters have implemented the same system. But due to the small theaters, things sell out quickly, so get on that early if there's something you want to see. Last time I went, the only seats left were in the front row. I was a little bummed, but remembered that the front row is a good distance from the screen, plus I really wanted to see the movie, so I went for it. Walked into the theater to discover that the front row is all recliners. Sinking into my leather chair, propping my feet up, chewing on my twizzlers - I felt like a BALLER. And you can't see the people behind you, so it really feels like a private screening room. Film is probably the second greatest love of my life. I am so happy that a place like the Violet Crown exists. read more

I saw "The Cave of Forgotten Dreams" here earlier this week. Great movie and the 3-D worked very well. The ambiance is cool, modern, and more swanky than Alamo Drafthouse, for sure. Good date night place. We arrived early and sampled the drink of the night, a Maker's Manhattan ($5), as well as a couple micro-brews ($4-5). The Manhattan was strong and tasty! We also tried the Mediterranean plate ($10), with a dolmas, hummus, baba ganoush, olives and warm pita, all of which were delish. Not enough to share, however, unless you just want a snack. My friend had the shrimp spring rolls, which he said were tasty but rather limp. Pros: good food, great seats and I like that this is a cinema specifically for independent movies and documentaries. Downtown has needed one for quite awhile. I like the assigned seating so there's no mad rush for the best seats and then making your neighbors move over. Cons: They are still working out the kinks. They need to hire more wait staff to help before the show--it was very busy and they were swamped behind the counter. Also, to have to leave the theater to get another drink or snack deters movie-goers from wanting to purchase another beverage. The TV trays on each seat are good because you don't have to lean forward to see your food but they are also a hindrance if you have to get up for any reason. Tip: the front row seats have ottomans to put your feet up on. How cool is that?!? All in all, I think this theater is going to get great business and will be a favorite place to go once the process gets more stream-lined. read more

The bar/lounge area of this place is great and their service was excellent. I highly recommend dropping in here to have a drink and enjoy some tasty appetizers. We had the Cheese Plate, Mediterranean Platter and One Pepperoni Pizza before our movie. Since it was during their HH we also enjoyed $5 beer, house wine and Margarita's. If my review was based on this area I would give 5 stars. It was nice and very relaxing after a long day. Our movie was in Theatre One and I was surprised by the seating. There is not much space between the rows. My 6'3 companion had a little room because we were seated in the first row of regular seating so there was a railing he could stretch out and put his feet on, not so for the man behind me. He was not as tall but I'm guessing he had even less leg room because his feet hit the back of my chair multiple times through out move, ugh. Annoying as it was I know it wasn't his fault and actually felt sorry for the poor fella. Of course this is a movie theater in an urban area so space is limited, I get it. I will have to remember to purchase tickets that are in the first row of regular seats when I come here (one problem solved). Ok, lets talk about the drink/food holders built into the seat. When I sat down I looked for the standard cup holder but it wasn't there, so after looking down I realized they have the type of table top that slides down by the side of your chair. I pull mine up and wammo its right there and I do mean RIGHT THERE! Not much room to move around once you put this thing up and dont even think about crossing your legs. If you do put it up and cross your legs be careful, very careful. If you hit the table top your drink and or food is going to get knocked off. We were lucky and no one was seated next to us so we were able to pull up the drink holder for the chair next to ours and place our drinks there, problem solved. On the bright side it was nice to actually sit down for a movie and not have to watch a handful of trailers. Also everyone that worked here was super nice! This is a nice place and they do a good job with their limited space, they also validate parking for up to 4 hours. I would not go out of my way to see a movie here unless it was the only place in town the movie was showing and or I was in the area. read more

Finally, a local alternative to the Drafthouse. I love the Alamo, but I hate needing to be at the theater an hour before new movies and waiting in line for decent seats. The Violet Crown has a much more limited line-up, but this is going to become my new go-to theatre when it's showing the movies I'm excited to see. You can select your seats on-line, so if all you want to do is slide in right when the movie starts, you can. The bar is fantastic. The drinks are reasonably priced and the food is great, plus the atmosphere is trendy. I also really liked that they don't open the theatre until 5 minutes before the show, it forces everyone to sit in the bar and hang out, but there are plenty of comfy club chairs to hang out in while you wait. The theaters themselves are nice, but nothing outstanding. The seats recline and there is plenty of leg room, but they aren't big and cushy. Violet Crown isn't charging like iPic for their tickets, so I don't really have a complaint about the seats. All in all, this is a very well designed theater and as long as they continue to show movies I want to see, it'll be my first choice for movie night. read more

For several weeks in a row after I discovered the existence of Violet Crown Cinema I bugged Walker F to go with me to see a movie there. Unfortunately, the movie selection and time never seemed to work out. A few weeks ago we had a lucky break and were able to finally get tickets to see "The Artist." We arrived about an hour early because we wanted to get our food and drank on before the showing. The bartender was great and made some very tasty bevvys. Unlike the Alamo, you can get a real drank here. I got a sazerac, which was excellent. The food took a little longer then expected, so the bartender gave us a beeper and told us to come out and grab it when it was ready. It was ready shortly after the movie started. The seats were fantastic. I really like the fold-out trays. Now, I don't need to eat off my lap like I do at the Alamo. The speakers are really good and the screen size, while smaller then most theatres, is completely acceptable for a small theatre. Oh, and stadium seating is totally awesome. Not sure how the movie would look if you were in the first couple rows though. Cons: -Difficult to get tickets unless you order well in advance because it's a super small theatre. -Watching a silent movie while people are eating popcorn is really annoying. -Having to get up to go to the bar during the movie is a bit frustrating. read more

Pros: Looks nice and modern. Great selection of films. Parking garage was pretty easy to deal with. Cons: Not a fan of the assigned seats. Screens are WAY too small. Did not find the seats comfortable. I live a similar distance from the Arbor as Violet Crown and will generally choose the Arbor for bigger screens and better seats. read more

I appreciate that Violet Crown is another option for viewing films here in Austin. It's nice to have another choice available. Parking validation is a nice touch since Downtown parking is getting ridiculous. The restaurant/lounge is also a good option. However, the menu selections are not as veggie friendly as I would like. It's clean, small and easy to navigate. The screens look and sound great and the film lean more toward independent films (another plus for me). Although some people may not be a fan, I love the fact that assigned seats are available. read more

My wife and decided to try it out on a date night. We didn't realize you should advance buy tickets, so about 2 hours before the show, I went on-line and bought them... the only seats left in the house were front row. We thought, oh well, we'll still give it a try. Honestly, front row are the BEST seats in the house. It's like laying on a nice comfortable recliner while you watch the movie. Front row has foot rests and are more reclined then the other rows. I can't speak for the food, we only ordered popcorn since we had just come from dinner... but there is no doubt we'll be bak, and when we do, regardless of how sold out, we'll buy front row again! read more

After several years of many enjoyable visits to this theater, a truly unhappy experience. Maybe the usual "No talking/No cellphones" clip would have helped. I don't think I saw one. It's a 130 mile round trip for me to come here. Then there was the $28 (with tip) drink. Plus $9 admission. I picked a seat at the far end so no one would be stumbling past me. The couple next to me cared nothing about my enjoyment. They had things to talk about. Continuously. So, 10 or 15 minutes into one of my favorite films, I was the one to stumble and step on toes of everyone on my row. The cashier told me right away that she was under no obligation to refund my money "in the middle of a movie". But she did. She did not like my manner. But then, she did not take my long drive and spend $37; all for nothing. read more

This place is called the Violet Crown because it is undisputedly the royal highness of the art cinema industry. I really can't rave enough about how much I love the tastefully designed interior of the theater, or the fact that there is both a snack bar and a cafe to choose from depending on which you're more feeling. I love that you can take wine into a movie, put your feet up (if you're in the front row!), and know that 99% of the time, the crowd actually cares about watching the movie with you. It's comfortable, accommodating, and an all around pleasant experience for any film-lover. read more

I expected the Violet Crown Cinema to be stuffy, overpriced and a Drafthouse ripoff, but it was anything but. I noticed a few differences between Alamo and Violet Crown. At VC, you order your food or beverages and carry them into the theater. The food selection is a bit smaller at Violet Crown, but it still holds its own in the quality category. The beer and wine selection definitely rivals that of Alamo. There are no servers at VC, but you're welcome to get up if you need anything. There's enough room for you to walk down each aisle without disrupting your neighbors. The most fantastic parts of VC: -The recliner-style chairs are the most comfortable seats in the city -The fold-out trays that come across your lap eliminate the reaching motion you have to make at the Drafthouse -Each theater is strategically padded in order to provide the best audio experience to each viewer -A ticket is only $2 more than the Drafthouse I tend to go to Alamo Drafthouse more often than Violet Crown, but both are great in their own ways. Violet Crown is my preference for a more sound-driven film (or if there are lots of quiet parts because each theater seems to be soundproofed). I highly recommend VC for a date or a plush, easy movie-watching experience. read more

The manager, Bill, contacted me to apologize about the parking garage issue. He offered movie passes to make up for it, even though the parking garage is a separate company. I fully intend to give Violet Crown another chance. read more

I thought I had this whole drinking and eating while watching a movie thing all figured out in Austin...but then...a group of friends met up at Violet Crown Cinema and whoa. My mind was blown. This was so much better than I expected. The bartender invented (long before I arrived) and then muddled and mixed my Constant Ava Gardner before the show and it was really the best cocktail I've had in a long time. The popcorn, while not a steal at $6, comes with unlimited refills and is pretty tasty, as far as popcorn goes. The theaters were small and clean. Plus, they validate parking in the garage behind. read more

This is how you go to the movies! Pick your seat, grab a $5 pint while you wait, then 5 min before the film starts you are seated in your theater. Seats are comfy, the screen is large (for the ~40person theater), and there isnt a bad seat in the house. Note: Looks like this theater does not play your big budget movies--more your indy/documentary flicks. To me, this is what Dobie should have been, but wasnt. read more

I'm a pretty big fan of this place. Since the drafthouse on S Lamar is still missing, my buddy and I decided to give Violet Crown a go. I'm really happy we did. They validate parking (yessssss) and their bar is a really cool spot to hang out in before or after the movie. They have a lot of fancy cocktails, and well, I thoroughly enjoy fancy cocktails. I really want to try their seats in the front row. They are like lazy boys and look amazing. If you are reserving your seat online and they are available, I recommend going for it. Really, I think this place is pretty swell. My one and only complaint is that there is only one way to your seats, so if you're up against the wall and you have to get up during the movie, you have to climb over the entire row and it's a pretty snug fit so it's kind of awkward. Getting your food or using the bathroom before the movie is probably a good idea, unless you're close to the aisle. Pretty awesome movie theater, definitely better than your run-of-the-mill regal and tinseltowns out there. read more

This is a nice place, but it's hard to compete with Alamo Drafthouse. They do screen films that most other cinemas don't, and for that the bar is a definite bonus. I wasn't impressed with their theater seating arrangement - the chairs aren't that comfortable and the people next to us sprawled all over my personal space. They shouldn't even have that option when I'm paying a premium price for a film that no one else in town is screening. For as wonderfully as the rest of the place was decorated and laid out, the bathrooms left a lot to be desired - poorly-lit, old and dingy. At the end of the day, I enjoyed my Live Oak and my visit to Violet Crown, but Alamo Drafhouse will remain my ol' standby. read more

I can't say enough good things about this place. I held out for a while, thinking it was some yuppie, upscale place in the hip district. It was exactly the opposite. Laid-back, super-friendly staff, cozy theaters, good food and drink selection. The theaters are intimate without feeling cramped. The lounge area is super-chill and everyone (bartender, snack bar attendants, ushers) was very friendly and helpful. Some yelpsters have complained about the food/tray table situation but my suggestion is to go early and sit in the lounge and eat and then go watch the film. I'm one of the seemingly few people who does not enjoy the Alamo Drafthouse experience. I don't care for the distraction of waiters and people eating something other than "movie food". VC is a much better experience if your goal is to actually "watch" a film. As a consequence they attract a clientele that is more mature and reverent than your typical moviegoer. This will be my theater of choice from here on out. read more

I just went to this theater for the first time a couple of weeks ago to see "Cave of Forgotten Dreams" in 3D. I think it's a great addition to the downtown options! I sat in the 2nd row, and as a 5'2" person that was a great seat for me as the first row is not on the raised platform (and in fact they have what looked like comfy lounger type seats). For this theater, you select your chosen seat when you purchase your tickets so you know exactly where you'll be. I purchased mine online so no extra waiting was required at the box office. The location is great; right next to Malaga where my friends and I headed for a drink afterwards. I've walked by the theater before but didn't notice it since the entrance is on the 2nd floor. They had a full bar and an eclectic menu with a small seating area in which to gather before the show. Also, the actual movie "snack bar" had some soft drink and candy options you don't see everywhere like "Cheerwine" soda. And you can take your food & drink into the theater; each seat has a little tray available which makes it pleasant to eat and drink during the film without unnecessary awkwardness. I picked up a flier on the way out, and their film choice is also varied which is nice. Upcoming films include mainstream, documentary and indie choices. Bravo! read more

Easy to use website, reserved seating, blasting A/C in the theater with comfortable chairs, and a snazzy bar with top notch food and drinks= a super fun experience that I look forward to reprising again very soon. Loved the cucumber martini for its refreshing flavor, and the pizza and med plate were fantastic. Yes, you need to get there about 45 minutes early to enjoy your food and drinks, and yes the people leaving their seats to get their food looked kind of awkward, but going once to test these nuances out will only make your future visit more enjoyable. It's pretty awesome to be able to watch a flick with a delicious cocktail in your hand. I love the experience at the Alamo, but this place caters to a more discerning palate with its fancier cocktails and well edited menu, making for a nice change in the routine movie trip. I highly recommend Violet Crown for an indie movie night. read more