MovieChat Forums > General Discussion > Bars in movie theaters

Bars in movie theaters

posted 8 years ago by Popcorn Kernel (2368)
44 replies | jump to latest

Yay or Nay?
The theater closest to me that I usually go to (maybe twice a month) has a full bar. Have you been to theaters that have one? Beer and popcorn goes great together!
The only thing is, it is separate from the candy/popcorn cashier, so you have to wait in 2 lines. I guess because the kids who work the main concessions counter cannot sell or even ring up alcohol, so they need an over-21 bartender. Sometimes the bartender is really slow and I have to skip it so I don't miss the beginning of the movie. But if I have enough time to wait in two lines, I do enjoy an adult beverage with my movie.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

The only one I've ever been in like that was in Las Vegas. I think it was the in the MGM Grand Theatre, before it burned down. It had couches and love seats, and drinks were served in your seats, like at a bar, so no need to stand in any lines.

[–] Popcorn Kernel (2368) 8 years ago

Oh that would be nice to have table service, but I hope the waiters were not taking orders during the actual movie. Too much talking and distraction for the people around you. I don't mind carrying my drink into the theater, I just wish it didn't take so long to get a drink plus popcorn. You really have to get there at least 15 minutes before the start time.

The one I go to was recently totally remodeled, I think within the past 18 months or so? It actually moved from a freestanding building across the parking lot from the mall, into a big space attached to the mall. And when they redid it in the new location they upgraded it- made more screens, added an IMAX, and added a bar. The non-Imax screens have reclining seats but the Imax seats don't recline for some reason. I think they are trying to make the experience nicer for like dates and stuff, since so many people don't go to the movies anymore.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

As I recall, and mind you this was a long time ago and only once on a business trip, there were small tables in front of the comfortable and plush couches, and a button you pushed to signal a waitperson to take your order. People whispered their orders and they were quietly delivered.

There was enough of a rise between rows so no one's vision was blocked, or if so, not for very long.

Reclining seats sounds great, and much more appealing for dates as well as solitary viewing.

One of my favorite theatres was built in the 1920s or 1930s, and had large semi-reclining chairs for seats, with lots of footroom, and unobtrusive red lights so you weren't entirely in the dark but didn't interfere with viewing the films. It also featured incredibly beautiful tile work by a famous ceramics artist, for the water fountains and in the bathrooms.

[–] arvin g borkar (2854) 8 years ago

I have zero taste for beer, it tastes like throw up, seriously. I think some people have a taste for it and others just do not. Just like some people can taste certain things that others cannot. I find I have a problem with liquor as well; however, the more you drink, the less you can actually taste it.

[–] Catbookss (13664) 8 years ago

How do you feel about papaya? To me it smells and tastes like vomit, and I can't understand why anyone would like it, unless it doesn't smell or taste like vomit to them.

Beer, to me, tastes and smells more or less like bread, with alcohol added to it.

[–] arvin g borkar (2854) 8 years ago

Papaya smells like crap and if you do not eat it when it is sweet, it tastes really bad. I have eaten it before and as long as I do not let the smell linger and it does not go bad, it tastes great.

[–] Popcorn Kernel (2368) 8 years ago

You might enjoy cider. There are a lot of hard ciders now with different degrees of sweetness. They don't have the bitterness of some beers because there are no hops.
With liquor I usually have it mixed with something like a soda or fruit juice, I don't usually enjoy liquor straight.

[–] arvin g borkar (2854) 8 years ago

I have tried cider and it does taste better. With liquor, it depends. If it is vodka, I can drink it straight. If it is whiskey or bourbon, I have to chase it.

[–] Popcorn Kernel (2368) 8 years ago

I never liked whiskey until I tried some of the flavored whiskeys that are out now. Apple or Honey are my favorites.
i.e. whiskey for girls. I know purists hate this stuff.
(if you are a male who likes them too, no shade. Come sit with me and we can drink girly drinks with umbrellas in them)

[–] arvin g borkar (2854) 8 years ago

lol

Really, in teen and college years, boys want to seem like men. When you get older, the gender becomes softer. Why do older men start liking wine? Wine is for girls right? Anything that chases liquor is called girly too. What? Are you afraid to drink liquor straight?

I'm over it. I do not think really anything is girly or manly, just enjoy. I can say that I cannot drink Whiskey upfront and I meant it. The first time I had drunk old whiskey, it tasted like I was at the dentists and a dentist was chloroforming me with the smell of latex gloves. That is honestly what filled my nostrils and mouth.

[–] db20db (17235) 8 years ago

I agree that beer and popcorn go well together. I indulge in that guilty pleasure occasionally, but in a controlled environment, namely my home. The popcorn will enable one to imbibe further because it will absorb the alcohol, to an extent. Nevertheless, beer is a diuretic and will make one run to the toilet for hours until it's completely metabolized.
When I go to a theater, I always take a final trip to the john before getting my ticket acknowledged and entering the theater. I just don't want to endure that physical discomfort any more than is necessary and possibly have it force me to miss a crucial part of the film. So, I would have to say, Nay, unless you can do it at home and put the movie on pause.

[–] Popcorn Kernel (2368) 8 years ago

You make a good point. I always hit the bathroom before the movie as well, but either a beer or a coke will both usually create the same need to pee. Coke sometimes more because it's usually more ounces. So I just don't drink it all at the very beginning of the movie, I sip it and spread it out, and I can usually make it to the end without having to visit the loo.
If you guzzle the whole drink during the previews, then yep, you will need to go before the movie is over, guaranteed.
If I get a cocktail I don't have that issue, because it's usually only about 8 ounces of liquid.

[–] R_Kane (15828) 8 years ago

There's an old saying: You done buy beer, you rent it.

[–] aavfreak (3313) 8 years ago

Reminds me of restaurants, bars or taverns that put a "Used Beer Department" sign for their bathroom.

[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

Mikey got with Sharon, Sharon got Sheriee
She was sharin' Sharon's outlook on the topic of disease

[–] Popcorn Kernel (2368) 8 years ago

heheh thank you. I know that real whiskey connoisseurs are annoyed by flavored products, but hey they do still make the purist stuff too. Everyone can get what they like so it doesn't harm them, but does bring more consumers to those companies.
I sometimes watch that Moonshiners TV show and even they are making 'novelty' flavored/fruity/sweeter products for women and hipsters because they can charge more for it. I don't think they would drink it themselves though.

[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

Mikey had a facial scar and Bobby was a racist
They were all in love dying they were doin' it in Texas

[–] arvin g borkar (2854) 8 years ago

Bicardi is from where?

[–] godewey (16472) 8 years ago

They were all in love with dying they were drinkin' from a fountian
That is pouring like an avalance coming down the mountian

[–] arvin g borkar (2854) 8 years ago

Oh wow.

[–] Greenleaf24 (126) 8 years ago

Yay! We have Alamo Drafthouse and it's the only way to go. We haven't seen a movie without food and drinks in about a decade. We love it and wouldn't change a thing!

[–] janX9 (446) 8 years ago

For sure. The theater my wife and I goto has servers that come to your seat to take your dinner and drink order then bring it to you before the movie. It's Awesome!

[–] Shredder (321) 8 years ago

I love theaters with bars in it. Saves me the trouble of having to buy a pop and then throw it out and fill the cup with the beers I snuck into the theater with.

[–] Popcorn Kernel (2368) 8 years ago

Why would you waste money on soda if you smuggled in a bottled drink? The sodas at movie theaters are like 5$ for the smallest one. You are wasting 5 bucks for a paper cup? Just drink out of the bottle.

[–] Shredder (321) 8 years ago

Have you never been in a movie theater before? They don't allow outside food in.

[–] Popcorn Kernel (2368) 8 years ago

You already smuggled it in. The hard part is already done. Nobody sees you drinking it in the dark.
I have smuggled in food many times. beer, soda, candy, etc.
Women are lucky because they already carry large purses and nobody ever asks to search it.

[–] Shredder (321) 8 years ago

Smuggling it in is the easy part. Drinking in plain view is where idiots get caught.

[–] Popcorn Kernel (2368) 8 years ago

[–] Shredder (176) a minute ago

Smuggling it in is the easy part. Drinking in plain view is where idiots get caught.
------------------------------------------------
Well then you would definitely get caught.
I never have.

[–] pancine (40) 8 years ago

Me either. i remember seeing Pulp Fiction, me and the girlfriend smuggled in a 12-pack, which was a singular event but many times I've brought in snacks, candy, even small meals to movies and sporting events. Getting harder at sporting events, perhaps due to the terrorism panic.

[–] hairbox (72) 8 years ago

I'm a bartender at a theater. I like it. It's really overpriced, but people still buy alcohol there. The age to sell used to be 21, but now you can be 18. Not sure if that was a great idea, though...