Alamo Drafthouse is heading to the Sunshine State.
The movie theater chain’s first Florida location will open in Naples in the spring. Alamo Drafthouse Naples will include a mini golf course in the lobby with each of the nine holes inspired by classic films.
“Naples is a golfer’s paradise, so we knew we had to do something special there for our first Florida location,” says Alamo Drafthouse CEO Michael Kustermann. “[It] will be a unique venue for our guests to relax, enjoy a few drinks, and hit golf balls into an alligator’s mouth – we couldn’t be more excited about it!”
In addition to the green, the Naples venue will feature a full bar with 24 beers on tap and a golf-themed cocktail list. One of the brews, Chubbs’ 19th Hole Blonde Ale, is named after the “Happy Gilmore” character portrayed by Carl Weathers. A custom tap handle in the shape of Chubbs’ wooden hand is being developed in honor of the late actor.
The new theater will be located in a 33,652-square-foot space in Mercato, a retail center on the southwest coast of Florida. It will feature 11 auditoriums updated with approximately 650 newly installed luxury recliner seats and 4k digital projection. Like all Alamo Drafthouse cinemas, the new Naples location will offer a scratch-made food menu, local beers on draft, and craft cocktails brought to guests in their seats by stealthy servers trained to not disrupt the movie experience. And, of course, the cinema chain’s No Talking/No Texting policy will be enforced so guests can watch films free from distractions.
“We were keen on bringing a unique, over-the-top entertainment addition to the already exceptional cinema experience that is Alamo,” said Adam Schwegman, partner and executive VP of leasing at North American Properties, which operates Mercato. “A true hole-in-one destination for the Naples community.”
