Theater restrictions?
 

What are the restrictions on having beer (or other types of liquor) in theaters? And I'm talking about good movie theaters, not some run down place that shows the Rocky Horror Picture Show. And not a megaplex that serves only 5 types of watered down daiquiris.

A friend and I were drunk and brainstorming the other night, and we realized that it would be a damn cash cow. Open a small theater with maybe 5 or 6 screens showing new releases with comfortable seating (couches and such)... beer, liquor, non-crunchy food. A place where the lobby is more like a bar.

It seems that that these big theaters would serve beer if they could, so there must be some sort of law?

Most of the new theatres where I live do serve beers and liquors after a certain time (when no kids are around) and require you to finish your alcoholic beverages before leaving the designated area.

It also involves going through the legal processes to acquire a liquor permit, and other official documentation.

Additionally, as HeyAgain hinted at, there has to be a way to protect against illegal drinkers (underage) from acquiring alcoholic beverages. In a dark theater, it is really easy to give someone an alcoholic beverage. This would set up the theater to being sued by parents, blaming the theater for getting their kids drunk.

There are some classy theaters such as the ones you are describing in DC, LA, NYC. I would surmise that most major cities have them. Remember though, you'll be paying for better service with a higher ticket price.

Yes, it's worth it.

We were throwing around the idea of only allowing people 21 and over access. Of course we'd need a liquor permit if we wanted to do this.

Anyway, I live in New Orleans, and as far as I know there is nothing like this in the area.

As far as be allowed to show new releases... I am guessing that you have to lease or buy a film from the studios? Anyone know the going rate?

Hey messy,

Check the site below for this article,

"Lights, Capital, Action!"

Opening an independent movie theater is a costly proposition, but if you can find an underserved niche to fill, your chances for success are strong.

http://www.businessweek.com/smallbiz...001121_981.htm

In Chicago there is a spot called "Brew and View" where you can go, hang out, eat pizza and beer while taking in a cheap double (or sometimes triple) feature. I saw Home Alone and Reservoir Dogs in the same double feature once!

That would be an interesting concept if they allowed alcoholic beverages to be served in a movie theater. However here, I believe liquor laws state that anyone serving alcoholic beverages must have a license to do so. From what I've been told, this can be a very lucrative addition but a costly one.

I dunno, I personally don't like the idea of watching movie with a bunch of liquored up people. There are enough obnoxious folks there already without the influence of alcohol.

The majority of revenue for movie theatres come from people under 21. In order to serve alchohol they would have to limit their clientel to 21 and over in most areas. There are excemptions, but this is the biggest reason they don't serve it. Sounds like it would be lucrative, but most that try it find it doesn't help much.

In NYC there are plenty of places that you can go to and catch a movie and have lots to drink and eat. Film Centre Cafe is one, there's several in the Village.

I haven't been to one myself, but would if I didn't already have home theater and lots of DVDs.

There is a theater down the street from my house Madstone. They serve beer and show more "artsy" type films. Although they did have Matrix Revolutions and the Hulk playing this summer. This is a great place to see the harder to find "critically acclaimed" films since most of Phoenix has the same run of the mill Hollywood stuff.

**Although they don't have their projectionist on the ball all of the time.

I think that the only obstacle would be the liquor/beer license.

I just moved away from Manitowoc, WI (population:30,000) that had one of these type theatres and it was pretty cool. They showed second run movies ($3 entry) and sold beers for like $3-4. Of course, this is Wisconsin, where a $4 beer is expensive. They also did other events, such as show football games on Sunday afternoon.

The one downfall of the place was that it only had one screen, so if it was a kid's movie that week, or just one you don't want to see, you don't go that weekend.

I always thought that it was a good idea and like seeing these places at least experiment with a new business strategy.

We've got a Brew & View here in Rock Island to that just opened up this last summer. It's modeled after the one in Chicago and I love it. :crazy:

At the local theatre in the town where I live, Officers Reed and Malloy are now permanently stationed there so that Snoopy Bow Wow and L'il MoFugger will think twice before spraying the lobby with their Tec 9's if someone steps on their shoelaces.

Add beer to the mix?

I'm thinking "Not."