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Movie Theater For Grown Ups

LizzieMaine

Bartender
Messages
35,419
Location
Where The Tourists Meet The Sea
We sort of do this -- we have a bar in the balcony, with fine wine and quality beer available. The alcohol is kept to the balcony only, with no one under 21 allowed upstairs during a show where the bar is open, and no alcohol allowed to be taken out of the balcony.

Originally, we had the bar open every night, and it just *died.* People around here don't drink on weeknights. Then we had it open only on the weekends, with moderate success -- small, well-behaved regulars mostly. A glass or two of wine, a cup of beer, and no problems with discipline. We haven't been running the bar during movies over the winter, but may reopen it for weekend shows in the spring if there's demand.

Concerts can be a different story, depending on the type of music. We have a lot of blues concerts, and I have to be right on top of things to keep the fake-ID crowd out, which is the most challenging aspect of running such an operation. I card people before they even set foot on the balcony stairs, and a lot of them don't like it, but that's too bad. Our liquor license is very particular about such things. Usually I've got to chuck out a few kids with fake ID at every blues event we do, but most of the crowds are orderly and well-behaved. We don't do hard rock, and the folkie-pop-world music crowd tends to be a glass of chardonnay or a sip of microbrew so there's no problems there.

People say they enjoy the "civilized touch" of adult beverages served in an adult manner, with no yahoos around to spoil the fun, and we try to keep it that way.

We do not, however, under any circumstances, serve wasabi. It doesn't go well with popcorn.
 

Mike in Seattle

My Mail is Forwarded Here
Messages
3,025
Location
Renton (Seattle), WA
Fifteen years ago, there were theaters in the LA area doing similar - at least snack bars with less grease-laden snacks like salads and sandwiches. The one they mention in Redmond - I've been tempted a few times but it seems like they're always closed for a private party, or never have a movie one would really want to see. And when you can only allow 40 in per showing and it's reserve online in advance for the show - [huh] I'd just rather pop in a good DVD at home, whip up the Martinis and a selection of whatever everyone's in the mood to eat and toss a couple logs in the fireplace.
 

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