The AMC Dine-In Theater at the Essex Green in West Orange, NJ had its grand opening the other day. My family and I were so excited to go and couldn’t wait to see what it was all about. I mean, can you really watch a movie and be served food without being distracted? I can do that at home, but I can also press the pause button. What we found was a new idea to a new audience that can turn out to be a great night out on a special occasion but wouldn’t be a place to go all the time because of the costs.
How things have changed. It’s a totally different atmosphere that’s geared to an older crowd for a great date-night, girls night out, etc. I always looked at this location to be packed with young kids, many who got dropped off or went to the movies and then walked around Essex Green. Now, the concession stands are gone, replaced by a nice, sophisticated-looking long bar. The ticket booth in the entryway is gone, replaced by rows of e-ticket machines and a ticket corner inside; kind of like when you go to a ticket booth to see a play or show.
Here’s the big difference. In the Cinema Suites theaters you have to be 21 years or older to even come in; anyone younger is not allowed even if accompanied by an adult. This is good for all those adults who hate having to worry about kids being around; but I’ve seen many adults act like kids, too. At the Fork and Screen theaters, you have to be 18 years old or accompanied by an adult. 
The movie ticket is $10 per person. The ‘experience’ charge is then $15 per person in the Cinema Suites and $10 per person in the Fork and Screen theaters. This means you’re paying $20 – $25 minimum to venture in the AMC Dine-In Theatres. We were in the Cinema Suites and we simply had a ball. The picture to the right are my kids having a great time at the grand opening. Now they won’t be allowed back in here because it’s the Cinema Suites and they aren’t old enough but, man, were they happy. The menu was TGIF-like, the drinks were simply fantastic, the waitress, bartender and staff were professional, polite, courteous, and was trying very hard to make us happy. They had a few glitches, but hey it was the grand opening and the first night to test everything.
It was kind of odd to glance out of the corner of my eye and watch the person next to meet eat while I was waiting on my food. It was also a little odd and just a twinge frustrating to talk to the waitress about my order and miss something in the movie. I went to grab the remote to pause the movie, but there wasn’t one.
The seats in the Cinema Suites were absolute perfection. They felt like the luxurious, in-home, movie theater seats that adjust and everything. The only thing I was missing was my blanket and pillow to curl up. But, who cares…I adjusted the seat all the way back (like a Lazy-Boy on steroids) and relaxed. Now, if the movie is a bad one, I can see myself dozing off, though.
It was fun. When I needed something from the bar, I just pushed the call button (kind of like the one on an airplane) and someone showed up to take care of me.
I’m not sure how distracting it would be to pay the bill while the movie is at its end. They also want you to hang out in the bar after the movie so do you get to run another tab? What if the waitress doesn’t ring you up before the movie is over? Hum… The “experience” charge is credited to whatever food/drink you purchase so I guess it depends on how much more you order on whether you have to worry about the bill at the end of the movie.
You have to try this at least once, then after that, your budget may dictate how often you will go back.
The question becomes, where do the teenagers go for their date-night? Either way, it was a great family night out for us and I’m glad we got to experience it. Here’s to yet another destination spot in West Orange, NJ and I hope it works out well for AMC and the town.
Watch the clip put together by Patch.com below. I’m starting to say, “if it’s happening in West Orange, it’s on Patch.com” because they cover everything, every where around here.
NOTATION: I’m so glad I can help with giving some background on the theater, but please don’t call our office for showing times and more details. Please call the theater directly, AMC Essex Green Cinema, 495 Prospect Ave. West Orange, NJ 07052. Movie Times: 1-888-AMC 4FUN. Guest Services: (973)731-6692.
