Burnaby’s new VIP movie theatre has finally opened on the third floor of the Amazing Brentwood shopping mall and it’s a stunner.
Cineplex had to wait more than a year to open the new five-screen theatre – and its new Rec Room entertainment centre, which just opened on the floor below - due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The wait was unfortunate, but now that the theatre has arrived, it’s a big moment for Burnaby moviegoers, offering a distinct contrast from the Metropolis at Metrotown theatre.
For one, this theatre doesn’t allow kids or teens and serves alcohol, with a large bar and a long list of wines, beers and cocktails for adults looking for a little grown-up fun.
It’s also a foodie’s paradise. Oh, sure, there’s still that intoxicating aroma of hot buttered popcorn wafting through the air, but you can also go for a really nice meal as well.
The restaurant and lounge is chic and bright with huge floor-to-ceiling windows that face east and north, overlooking the grand Amazing Brentwood plaza that’s complete with a huge water fountain.
There are large TVs set up showing sports and high ceilings. The furniture is modern, including a long couch that runs along the entire length of one part of the big room. It’s a major contrast to the darker, club-like feeling of the VIP theatre in Coquitlam. (Both are equally good.)
But back to the food. The menu is really good, ranging from fish or chicken tacos to meat or meatless burgers to salads and quinoa bowls.
We started with some good guacamole and followed that up with a burger, fish tacos.
Then the fun really begins. We went to our seats to watch F9 and ordered dessert (cheesecake with ice cream and strawberries) and popcorn from our seats. No lining up with a bunch of noisy kids. Then they brought the rest of our food to our seats and we ate on the dining tables in front of us.
We also were able to turn on our heated seats and flip out the leg rests in plus, comfy sofa seats that made me so comfortable that I wanted to sleep there overnight.
That is the VIP experience.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
