HOVERING LIKE A CLOUD above Newport Beach’s Fashion Island® is the latest addition to this refined center: The LOT, an entertainment utopia curated for comfort and filled with a dizzying array of options for sharing the company of friends, family and associates. Open early morning to late at night, this hybrid meeting, dining, media and special event space is a hub within a hub.

The name is short for “backlot,” a nod to the moviemaking industry. The two principals, hospitality veterans from Mexico City who launched the respected Cinépolis U.S., aim to return moviegoing to the occasion it was in years past. “We envisioned an upscale and sophisticated meeting place where you create your own experience,” says co-founder Carlos Wellman.

The dining area at The LOT could double as a movie set. Tall glass entry doors usher the outside in. A neutral palette beckons, with plush, oversized furnishings virtually begging someone to sink in and relax. It feels a bit like an elegant treehouse: wood panels, high ceilings, diffused light. The effect is that of a backdrop, with the action up to you. My grandson likes to snack on a gluten-free muffin at the pastry café. I favor the grazing plates and fine wine by the glass.

A couple arrived late and was halfway through their meal when the movie they’d planned to see started to roll. Not a problem at The LOT: Dinner plates were scooped up and delivered to their luxurious leather theater seats.

While offerings on the seven screens tend to be first-run and mainstream, Wellman plans to expand into independent and classic programming. Already, The LOT has partnered with the annual Newport Beach Film Festival.

Businesspeople and local leaders meet clients and colleagues over locally roasted coffee. Shoppers break for a casual lunch. At day’s end, a lively happy-hour crowd sips craft cocktails and craft beer at the expansive bar/lounge. In between, locals and visitors can catch the sporting event of the day on a giant split-screen TV, feast on a Sunday brunch buffet, or listen to live music.

The company behind the concept is named The Lot Entertainment for good reason. Invite friends for a live stream of the Super Bowl or attend the Oscars remotely, red carpet and all. Root for your World Cup team from the comfort of reclining seats, make a habit of family night at the movies or share a sustainably sourced dinner and a movie with a soul mate. There’s a lot to do at The LOT, even if all you want is popcorn, thelotent.com.

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