Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
The Cinerama Dome Takes Another Step Toward Comeback (RIP ArcLight)
File: A person stands while taking photos of the famed Cinerama Dome at the shuttered ArcLight Hollywood movie theater on April 13, 2021 in Los Angeles.
(
Mario Tama
/
Getty Images
)
The ArcLight Hollywood was an L.A. landmark, drawing fans with its hip aesthetic, personal movie introductions, and film-fan-friendly screenings without all the advertising. But after the pandemic shut the chain down, owner Pacific Theatres declared bankruptcy.
Now there are new signs of life at the ArcLight’s former location. A liquor license obtained for a business going by the name “Cinerama” at that address suggests the historic Cinerama Dome could be a centerpiece of the new venture. The news was first reported by Variety.
The 12-month license was issued by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control on June 3, with an expiration of May 31, 2023. So while there’ve been no details released about when you’ll be able to go enjoy popcorn, a drink, and a movie inside a giant dome, it would seem likely that the new business will want to reopen sometime before next spring. The license gives its holders the option to operate an “on-sale general eating place” (aka a restaurant) and two bars, as well as catering and events.
Citing the application for the license, which Variety reported that it obtained, the new complex will be known as “Cinerama Hollywood.” That application also includes schematics showing that not only will the Dome itself be reopening, but also the 14 screens in what was formerly the ArcLight Hollywood.
Support for LAist comes from
That reporting also indicates that the theater may be adding more food and drink options for within the theaters themselves, a la the Alamo Drafthouse chain.
We’ve reached out to the company and to Alcoholic Beverage Control but have not been able to independently confirm those additional details yet.
Several of the theaters previously owned by the company’s ArcLight and Pacific Theatres chains have been acquired and reopened by new owners, including L.A.-area locations operated by AMC and Regal Theatres.
The Cinerama will face numerous challenges if it manages to reopen as planned, with a changed movie business (as our reporter John Horn has detailed), increased competition (such as L.A.’s own Alamo Drafthouse theater), and other chains copying some of the features it previously championed, like reserved seating. Without the ArcLight for industry screenings in Hollywood, several studios have also set up their own nearby locations for private screenings. IndieWire has detailed many of the other challenges the revived theater could face.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago. -
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
Best of LAist