Emagine Palladium opens in Birmingham with unique member program

The old Birmingham Palladium Theater is now an Emagine Palladium theater.

The venue has downsized, and gone from 12 screens with 2,500 seats to a much smaller five screens and 550 seats. They are calling it intimate stadium style. Two auditoriums hold 150 people, and the other three hold only 80. Each theater is equipped with very comfortable state-of-the-art recliners, with 35 feet between the first row of seats and the screen.

"No one wants to sit too close to the screen. I didn't want to have any bad seats in this venue," says Paul Glantz, cofounder and chairman of Emagine Entertainment. "If I can't make it a great experience, I don't want you to pay for it."

In addition to the luxury viewing experience, a new full service restaurant is also adjacent to the theater. The Palladium's Ironwood Grill not only has great views from windows that open up to give patrons an exquisite view of downtown Birmingham, but the culinary artist will also provide seat-side food and beverage service.

But the true difference maker when it comes to a night out at the movie? You can opt in to become a member for a $350 annual cost.

So, what do you get for that price?

"You're going to be able to buy your ticket, choose your specific seat in the auditorium and go additionally to a password-protected website, and that's where members will have that right exclusively, up until two hours before showtime, to buy those seats," explains Glantz. "We are going to make our members available for reservations at the Ironwood Grill, which is part of our operation, and we're going to do free family films every Sunday, followed by brunch, and we're going to give you a free birthday movie and a free birthday dinner. We want you to come and celebrate here."

There are other perks, too, like reduced ticket prices and a $100 movie and snack credit at any Emagine theatre. You can check out all the perks here.

It's a new upscale concept for movie goers that this owner says the mark with decide if it's a success.

The theatre opens Friday, Oct. 2 at 4:30 p.m. It's located at 209 Hamilton Row.