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Boozing At The Movies May Be Going Mainstream Soon!

By

Ben Yakas

Published Sep 25, 2011

Modified Sep 25, 2011

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Drinking beer at Nitehawk Cinema during a recent screening

 

Kyle Dean Reinford

By

Ben Yakas

Published Sep 25, 2011

Modified Sep 25, 2011

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This month, we heard the good news that Matthew Viragh, owner of Williamsburg's Nitehawk Cinema, had been successful in his fight to overturn a state law barring alcohol in movie theaters. But now it seems you may be able to bring your booze into the movie theaters at large chain cinemas in the city sooner than you think!

According to the Post, AMC Theaters and the Angelika Film Center on Houston Street are considering adding restaurants that serve alcohol, thereby allowing moviegoers to bring drinks to their seats. “We’re excited about the possibility of bringing AMC Dine-In Theatres to our guests in New York,” said spokesman Ryan Noonan.

Since the repeal of Prohibition, NY has permitted drinks to be served in all theaters except those showing movies. But because of the new state law, which Viragh had been fighting for, theaters are now permitted to serve alcohol if there is a restaurant on the premises.

Movie theaters are hoping this move will lure more adults to their theaters: “Adults aren’t enjoying going to the movies [which cater to] adolescents,” said a spokeswoman for Assemblyman Joe Lentol, who sponsored the bill. Now if we can finally get some legislators to fight for stoop drinking and designated outdoor booze zones, then we'd never have to worry about not being able to dance ever again.

Tagged

alcohol

beer

booze

brooklyn

cinemas

manhattan

movie theater

movies

Ben Yakas

Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.

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