Photo by Jeremy Yap on Unsplash
Step aside, Nitehawk: All NYC movie theaters can now sell wine and beer
A request filed by the National Association of Movie Theater Owners to the State Liquor Authority on Jan. 3 was swiftly approved
With an Alamo Drafthouse and multiple Nitehawk Cinema locations, Brooklynites have already had more options than most when it comes to sipping booze at the movies.
But those options are about to exponentially increase.
Last week, the New York State Liquor Authority unanimously agreed at a board meeting to let all New York City movie theaters sell beer and wine as part of their regular concessions, and to allow moviegoers enjoy their drinks throughout the show.
Until now, some theaters sold beer and wine in designated areas and at designated times—i.e. in a lobby or at a separate bar, and not during the movie. Others, like Alamo and Nitehawk, were able to sell alcohol because they are also licensed restaurants, with full kitchens and tables for all customers.
Spurred on by the massive revenue blow Covid-19 has dealt to the industry, and noticing that other non-restaurant venues (like art galleries, concert halls and even salons) were allowed to sell alcohol, the National Association of Movie Theater Owners filed a request to the State Liquor Authority on Jan. 3. It took just over two weeks to get the answer they were looking for.
“It is imperative that theatres search for new ways to enhance the moviegoing experience, enabling them to offset rising costs, and retain employees,” attorney Theresa Russo wrote on behalf of the theater owners association to the liquor authority. “Beer and wine sales would create a critical revenue stream to help offset these headwinds.”
Despite the speedy response, implementation will take a while, because cinema owners will have to apply for licenses to hawk booze, a process that can often take months. But they can start the process right away and also obtain temporary 90-day permits, which are approved sooner. Owners also have to prove that alcohol sales will only be “incidental to the overall business” of showing movies.
And liquor will still not be allowed at your local cinema—but after the show, one will hopefully soon have to-go cocktails again for the walk home.
