BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) — iPic Theater, located in Mizner Park, was revolutionary when it opened. A first class venue that offered first class dining service from recliner seats for movie watching — something Boca had not yet experienced.
But times have changed, quickly.
Shadowood Theater in West Boca recently underwent a massive overhaul and installed recliner seats — keeping ticket prices at a fraction of what iPic charges. Cinemark’s Premiere level remains popular and frequently sold out. Frank’s Theater in Delray — while utilizing normal movie theater seats — offers sound and visual presentation that is top notch.
Which brings us back to iPic. A visit by BocaNewsNow.com Saturday evening for a showing of “Straight Outta Compton” was a disappointment — a significant change from visits in the past.
The movie was great.
The seats are still nice.
The customer service, however, was poor.
The computer ticket kiosks at the entrance were inoperable at 6:40p, pushing all visitors to the two overdressed yet undertrained women at the front desk. Whether tickets were purchased in advance or not, everyone had to wait in line to be “signed in” by these ladies.
And incredibly, even though iPic promotes its iOS app, its system in Boca Raton is apparently unable to use the QR Codes the app displays. To put it another way: if you think the iPic app will allow someone to scan the code on your phone and issue a ticket, think again. Airlines do this. Fandango theaters do this. But the $25 a ticket iPic theater chain apparently does not have a system compatible with its own app — drawing into question why the app even exists.
Food quality was fine but food service was poor. Once a true first class experience, we experienced a wait staff that visited once, delivered food by passing it over our heads from behind the seat, and never returned to clear plates. A stark contrast to previous iPic experiences.
Don’t bother asking the front desk for change for a valet tip. They’ll tell you they are not allowed to open the cash drawer — an absurd cover for “I’m too busy talking to my friend.”
While your experience may vary, BocaNewsNow.com suggests you save your $25 a ticket by paying half that at other area theaters, then going out for a nice dinner.
It appears that iPic — which is set to open in Delray — needs to revisit its Boca Raton location. The venue is no longer providing a marquee performance.
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