Movie Tavern Gearing Up for Grand Opening Celebration

Movie Tavern is making date night easier. Want to go to a dinner and a movie? You can do both at the Movie Tavern.

The Collegeville theater marks the 15th location for the business, said Karen Sibley, Movie Tavern’s director of marketing. To commemorate the opening, the theater will have a grand opening celebration Saturday, July 30.

Festivities begin at 1 p.m. and include tours of the theater and movie-themed giveaways, along with trivia contests. The theater will also have Sherry Lynn, a local country singer, perform, Sibley said.

From 2 to 4 p.m., WXTU will be playing country music and holding trivia contests to entertain visitors. The radio station will also collect backpacks and school supplies for its “Backpack Challenge” that benefits the Philadelphia foster care system, according to Movie Tavern’s website.

Movie Tavern has a full restaurant, serving classic pub fare such as chicken wings, burgers and various sandwiches. The restaurant has even been customized with local dishes, including the “Zep Burger,” a burger-hoagie combination, and the cheesesteak has been perfected to meet Philadelphia standards, Sibley said.

Sibley, who lives in Texas but is helping the new location open, said the company learned the way the cheesesteaks were cooked “down South” wasn’t the proper way, so they have been updated for the new locale.

“We don’t want to offend people, “ Sibley said, laughing. “That’s a pretty personal thing.”

Movie Tavern also has a full bar and a special margarita bar. The margarita bar serves different versions of the frozen tequila drink, as well as child-friendly milk shakes and smoothies.

Right next to the margarita bar, Sibley said Movie Tavern has the movie theater staple—popcorn.

“Obviously, we always have movie theater popcorn; it’s an old standby,” Sibley said.

Movie Tavern has eight theaters showing the latest movies, Sibley said. However, these theaters are not your typical movie theaters. Each seat has a small table attached to it to place food on during the movie. The tables also have a small red button that patrons can press at anytime, and a server will come into the theater to take their order and bring them a meal.

Sibley said she recommends people come at least a half hour before their movie begins so they have time to look over the menu and order before the film starts—not that they have to order food, Sibley said. She also said people don’t have to see a movie to enjoy the restaurant and bar.

Two of the movie theaters are smaller, with 50 seats, and are available for parties or business events, Sibley said. She said guests can choose from a list of new movies, bring their own DVD, or even show a PowerPoint presentation for a business event.

Sibley said so far, the company is “real pleased” with the Collegeville location and its reception in the community. She said the evenings have been busy, and there's been a lot of positive feedback from customers.

For more information or to check out the entire menu, visit the website.