Glass Out

Heart of Glass: Why Alamo Drafthouse decided to ban those nerdy Google spectacles

Google Glass is banned from Alamo Drafthouse.

Courtesy photo

If there is one man who wants to ensure everyone has an uninterrupted movie experience, it's Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League. Taking the infamous no-talking PSAs and cell phone ban one step further, League tellsDeadline that Google Glass is now banned in his theaters, including the Houston-area cineplexes at Vintage Park and Mason Park.

Though he says nothing of how ridiculous they make patrons look, League, a 1992 graduate of Rice University, says he does worry about potential piracy issues.

“We’ve been talking about this potential ban for over a year,” he said. “Google Glass did some early demos here in Austin and I tried them out personally. At that time, I recognized the potential piracy problem that they present.”

League took to Twitter to announce the ban, tweeting:

Google Glass is officially banned from @drafthouse auditoriums once lights dim for trailers. #MovieManners

— Tim League (@timalamo) June 9, 2014

The Alamo's announcement, which was covered by Time and other national news outlets, does leave a little wiggle room. League tells the trade publication that as technology adapts, so too will the Alamo's policies. While the current ban is in effect patrons are asked to remove their Google Glass before the lights dim.

In a subsequent interview with Glenn Beck, League also clarified his stance a bit, saying that prescription glasses will be handled on a case-by-case basis.

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What's eric eating episode 286

Meet the busy builder constructing some of Houston's top restaurants, plus a trip to Pappas' new oyster bar

Courtesy of Construction Concepts

Joshua Weisman is this week's guest.

On this week’s episode of “What’s Eric Eating,” Joshua Weisman joins CultureMap food editor Eric Sandler to discuss Construction Concepts. The Houston-based company has built a number of prominent restaurants, including Burger Bodega, Bosscat Kitchen & Libations, and Doris Metropolitan.

Weisman begins the conversation by explaining how he pivoted from residential construction to nightclubs and, eventually, restaurants. From there, the discussion covers a lot of ground, including Weisman’s favorite projects, working with outside designers and architects, and the tricks to navigating the City of Houston permit office. Sandler asks Weisman what current design trends he’s most excited about.

“We’re seeing a lot more higher end, luxury finishes. People are going the extra mile to wow people,” he says. “We’re seeing a lot more brass and gold, a lot more metal on the interiors. One thing I like is we’re seeing more florals and colors. Whether it’s wallpaper or trees inside, which I like quite. We’re seeing a lot more natural woods, mahogany, walnut with brass inlays. It’s trending to a higher end feel for a lot of spaces.”

Listen to the full interview to hear Weisman break down what it actually costs to build a restaurant. He also shares what his dream project would be.

Prior to the interview, Sandler and co-host Felice Sloan discuss the news of the week. Their topics include: Atlas Restaurant Group replacing Ouzo Bay with Azumi, a Japanese restaurant; State Fare owner Culinary Khancepts opening two new projects in The Woodlands; and Esquire magazine naming EZ’s Liquor Lounge one of America’s best bars.

In the restaurants of the week segment, Sloan and Sandler begin with an in-depth review of their meal at Little’s Oyster Bar, the new, upscale seafood restaurant from Pappas Restaurants. Then, they travel to Seabrook for a meal at Viola & Agnes’ Neo Soul Cafe.

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