IPIC Theaters — Attraction in New York

Let me preface this review by saying that my family and I have been loyal IPic customers for years. Despite living in Queens, we always travel down to the Seaport for what is usually a great experience. But what happened to us last weekend is unacceptable on every level.

On Saturday June 28th, my 75 year old mom, my husband, sister & I along with our 8 year old son went to see Elio. After the movie was over, we used the elevator on the third floor to go back down to exit after using the restroom. Another family of four got on the elevator with us. Within 2 minutes of being in it, it bounced up and down and then got stuck between floors. We immediately pressed the help button and a recording came on that said the line was disconnected. The adults in the elevator tried to call out on their phones but none of us had any cell service. Thankfully the bell button was working and after ten minutes or so, we heard someone say they were "working on it".

There were three kids on the elevator (ages 4,8 and 10) and they were visibly scared. Thankfully the father of the other family was a firefighter himself so he explained what was going on to calm everyone down. Having said that, he was also able to pinpoint all that was not up to code with the elevator!

After 20 minutes, the firemen arrived and opened the door which was stuck between floors. They lifted the three scared kids out first, then my 75 year old mother and then the other adults. You would think that greeting us would have been concerned and apologetic workers. Instead we had a smug IPic employee (name can be provided) and two security representatives from the South Street Seaport. After seeing three kids and a senior get carried out, the FIRST thing the IPic employee did was point to a standing sign and say, "I'd like to direct your attention to this sign". The sign said maximum four people. I'd like to point out that this standing sign is on the ground floor and not on the floor where WE GOT on outside the restrooms.

Instead of asking us how we were, if our kids were okay, if we needed anything ( hell - we weren't even offered water after being trapped for 20 minutes in a hot elevator), we were met with attitude and non apologies. How different it would have been had any of the three people had the decency to ask how we even were. And do you know what we were told was the reason for their nonchalance? Because this is a "COMMON OCCURRENCE"! How is that acceptable?

The ONLY apology we were given was when my 8 year old son said to the security guy that, "It wasn't just adults in the elevator. There were three kids. And I was shaking and scared" and finally we got a human response. The man looked at my son and said, "You're absolutely right, little man. I'm sorry." NO ONE ELSE even asked how any of us were! On a human level - what an incredible fail. On a business level, what a dangerous game you are playing.

Our new fireman dad friend had a nice long conversation with security pointing out how we had no way to communicate, how the weight maximum of the elevator was well above what was actually inside so he questioned why there was a four person maximum, etc. When we exited the elevator on the ground floor we also noticed that there was a small sign on the wall mentioning the four person maximum (I know most people do not even see it) and ironically there was a sign above that with a number to call in case of emergency. This was posted OUTSIDE the elevator; an elevator that doesn't have cell service or a working help line. How utterly useless.

We are DISGUSTED by the treatment we were given. My husband has already written a letter to customer service and received no response. I would also like to point out that despite asking to speak to a manager on site, that no one ever showed up.

IPic - do better. I hope no ever goes through what we did. I hope you start to hire people who actually care when kids are scared instead of arrogantly trying to save their own behinds. And mostly, I hope you figure out why your elevator does not work...

I want to give this place more stars, but I also struggled with giving them even 4 stars.

Conceptually, and in terms of design, this may be my favorite movie theater I have ever gone to. The theatres are small, with comfortable reclining seating, tables, food, drinks, and even some private 2 person pods and A BLANKET. The artwork in the place is great, and the items on the menu taste delicious. The people who work there are lovely and patient and gave great customer service

But in every other element, this theatre fell utterly short. Their seats are not very expensive considering the luxury of the amenities, and the location. You're paying almost the same price for a ticket to see any movie on any screen, so why not pay extra for these GREAT seats?

Maybe it's because the online order system makes it very difficult to buy tickets online. I had to call the box office to get mine after 4 failed attempts, worried the popular movie I was about to see would sell out before I could reserve the pod seats I wanted. When I did get through, I waited on hold through a menu encouraging me to get the tickets online, which I had already tried. But once I got a person she helped me out and remembered me when I got to the theatre to see the show! How awesome! And she gave me a coupon for a free appetizer. Can't fault their customer service.

However, I chose this premium experience (even though anywhere else was cheaper) to have an enjoyable night out for a special occasion. I figured the 10 pm start time of the film, and the alcohol service, meant the showing would be kid-free, or at least that children would be young and sleeping if they were present. (If you want a child free experience, you have to go to Alamo Drafthouse, which is nearby and DOES have kid free shows available.

This place had kids. Lots of them. Crying, talking, asking questions. It's not a good place to go to have an evening out with adults, unfortunately.

The menu was pricey but I really enjoyed the food I could get. There were some menu items that they had run out of, which was disappointing but not worth getting that upset over since the food we did get was great. They were out of A LOT of drink items. I got one that was a distant 3rd choice and was underwhelming and overpriced.

The food came late. I think our server forgot our order. (It was busy and dark and there were so many families in the sold out showing that I don't blame them for this, but it did make it hard to enjoy the film when we didn't know if the order was coming.) The theatres are so dark that it's hard to eat some of the menu items because you can't see what is what, and we had to ask a few times for napkins so it did make me wonder what might be on those comfy blankets if it's difficult to get a napkin.

I will likely give this place another choice for a less popular movie, and I'll update when I do. But for now my suggestion is if you're looking for an evening out with adults you should go to Alamo Drafthouse. Ipic is really nice but it doesn't live up to the concept if you can't go there and watch a movie at 10 pm without having to deal with crying children and items that have been 86'ed from the menu because they sold out...

I recently discovered a hidden gem that has become my ultimate self-date night spot: iPic! Prepare for a unique cinematic experience with exceptional service and the perfect recipe for a hilarious yet romantic evening.

First things first, the service at iPic deserves a standing ovation. From the moment I entered the theater, I felt like a superstar. The staff is amiable and attentive and equipped with ninja-like skills to deliver your gourmet food and drinks without disturbing the movie magic. I swear, they must have taken courses in stealthy dining!

Let's talk about the food. Oh my, the food! iPic elevates the concept of movie snacks to a whole new level. Say goodbye to mediocre popcorn and hello to gourmet delicacies. Imagine munching on buttery popcorn while sipping a refreshing craft cocktail that could rival any mixologist's creation. Trust me, your taste buds will be dancing happily throughout the film.

Now, let's dive into the main event—the plush seating. These reclining chairs are the epitome of comfort, making you feel like you're watching a movie from the luxurious lap of relaxation. Forget about those old, squeaky cinema chairs that leave you with a numb bum. At iPic, you'll melt into the comfiest seat with a soft blanket to snuggle up with your popcorn soulmate.

And let's remember the ambiance. The theater is stylishly designed, providing an intimate setting that adds a touch of romance to any movie. It's as if the flickering lights of the screen and the cozy atmosphere conspire to create the perfect backdrop for a rendezvous with your thoughts or a dreamy night out with that special someone.

So, whether you're flying solo and needing quality "me time" or looking to woo someone with a unique date night experience, iPic is the place to be. Its fantastic service, delectable cuisine, and the perfect combination of comfort and ambiance make it my go-to spot for a hilarious yet romantic escape from reality. Take the opportunity to treat yourself to a movie night fit for the stars. Go ahead, indulge in the magic of iPic!

Rating: (five stars and a big bucket of popcorn!)

Update 07/31/24

Recently, I visited iPic Movie Theater twice and had horrible experiences both times. The first visit was to see Bad Boys with a co-worker. During that visit, they ran out of liquor and certain foods, and to top it off, my co-worker and I never received the food we had ordered. This was especially frustrating because we paid extra for the premium seats that included food service. Although the staff apologized and gave us free movie tickets as compensation, the experience left a bad taste.

Hoping for a better experience, I decided to use the free tickets to see Long Legs today. Unfortunately, it was just as disappointing. While I did receive my drinks, the food never arrived. This repeated issue of not getting the food I paid for is unacceptable.

It's really a shame because I used to enjoy this place, but after these two incidents, I won't be coming back. I'm planning to try the IMAX 4D Movie Theater instead. So...