Hurrah!
The New York State Liquor Authority has just approved a new rule allowing movie theaters to serve wine and beer at their concession stands and for moviegoers to carry drinks inside the screen rooms.
Up until now, cinemas were only allowed to serve drinks if they had a restaurant license alongside a full kitchen and had waiters to serve patrons that are already seated.
The rules changes were for good and take effect immediately.
“The SLA’s Full Board voted to issue a Declaratory Ruling that under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, businesses operating movie theaters are eligible to apply for a tavern-wine or restaurant-wine license, without the need for a restaurant menu and table service, provided that alcoholic beverage sales are incidental to their operations as a movie theater”
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The decisions were made by the National Association of Movie Theater Owners. The group argued that cinemas should be allowed to sell alcohol and consumption under the same guidelines as it applies to live entertainment destinations around town — from Broadway theaters to concert halls.
Movie theaters will now be allowed to apply for beer and wine licenses, just like other entertainment venues, as long as the profits from the new menus are not their main revenue.
"Cheers" New York!
