Adult movie patrons watching the latest blockbuster at Coquitlam SilverCity will soon be able to quaff a cold one while they get their cinematic thrills.
Pat Marshall, vice president communications for Cineplex Entertainment, said the company will be applying for a new license to be able to offer alcoholic beverage service in their VIP cinema.
The change follows a decision by the B.C. government to create a new liquor license that allows theatres to serve alcohol during movie showings.
Rich Coleman, the cabinet minister responsible for B.C. liquor and gambling policy, says the change will get rid of red tape for theatres that could get a license to serve alcohol for live events, but couldn't show movies in the same place.
It's good news for Cineplex Entertainment, where VIP theatres have been extremely popular with adult viewers, Marshall said.
"It's a very different experience then what our traditional movie offering is," she said noting that the theatre company is trying to offer as many options as possible to the movie-going public.
Alcohol is already available in the restaurant lounge area that is open to all guests, which is part of the theatre's primary food license. With the new liquor license, guests in the VIP theatre, which is adult-only for guests over the age of 19, will be able to have alcoholic beverages, along with food, brought to their seats prior to the movie starting.
Patrons are also provided with large leather seats with side tables and can also purchase food such as appetizers, burgers, flat pizzas and desserts brought to them by servers.
However, Marshall said she didn't know when the new license will be available. "We have to apply to get the liquor license changed," she explained.
The VIP concept theatres have been so popular across the country, she said, that more will be rolled out in B.C., including Abbotsford, and the Marine Gateway theatre in Vancouver. Other Cineplex Entertainment theatres may be retrofitted to provide the adult-only, premium theatre experience that costs an extra $7 above the movie price.
