It’s the old date standby—dinner and a movie. It’s a classic for a reason: A film not only guarantees you’ll have something to talk about while you break bread but also offers a chance to evaluate a prospective partner’s taste. (“Um, you saw Spice World how many times?”)

So when summer has made a humid mess of your favorite outdoor cafe and you want nothing more than to stay air-conditioned, catch the latest installment of whatever Hollywood franchise is in season at the AMC Loews megaplex in Georgetown (3111 K St., NW). Multiple screens, stadium seating, and state-of-the-art sound and projection ensure that you’re watching a blockbuster the way it was meant to be seen.

Reserve tickets online and use the time you would have spent in line by grabbing a bite next door at Maté (3101 K St., NW; 202-333-2006), a hip, modern lounge and sushi bar. It gets crowded later at night, but between 5 and 7:30 pm you can be assured a quiet space to enjoy discounted sushi and specialty drinks such as pomegranate mojitos and margaritas. White swivel chairs, low-hanging metallic chandeliers, and a liberal use of color and lighting elevate this premovie dinner spot far above a burger chain.

After the film, grab some ice cream at the adjoining Hershey Ice Cream Store (3151 K St., NW; 202-339-9004), or head around the corner to Ching Ching Cha (1063 Wisconsin Ave., NW; 202-333-8288) for a perfectly brewed pot of tea—the oolong and white teas are particularly good. If things are still going well, there are plenty of bars where you can continue the night. After all, you are in Georgetown.