NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Movie theaters across New York State can now serve beer and wine which customers can bring to their seats as part of a ruling by the state's Liquor Authority this week.
Some theaters already did sell alcoholic drinks if they had a restaurant license with a full kitchen and wait staff to bring them in. But otherwise, movie-goers had to drink those beverages before getting inside the theater or they weren't offered whatsoever.
"The SLA's Full Board voted to issue a Declaratory Ruling that under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law, businesses operating movie theaters are eligible to apply for a tavern-wine or restaurant-wine license, without the need for a restaurant menu and table service, provided that alcoholic beverage sales are incidental to their operations as a movie theater," the authority said.
The Liquor Authority vote was unanimous, and now means theaters can go through the New York State Liquor Authority to begin serving.
According to the New York Post, theaters serving typical movie snacks can sell wine, beer and cider if it doesn't end up being their "top revenue source."
But hard liquor is still off the books unless the theater has a restaurant license and wait staff, like Brooklyn's Alamo Drafthouse.
The move comes weeks after Gov. Kathy Hochul said she wanted to make moves to pull back the red tape on state businesses. She also said to-go alcoholic drinks would return, but when exactly is unclear.
The Liquor Authority's decision takes effect right away, but the licensing process could take a little bit for cinemas to complete.
The move has been celebrated by movie theater owners across the state, especially since most U.S. states already allow it.
"[It's a] long-due and tremendous win for movie theaters across New York State," said Bow Tie Cinemas COO Joe Masher to Deadline. "As moviegoers continue to return to the big screen and given the incredible economic disruption the pandemic has caused, this will help keep many independent, local theaters, particularly in upstate downtowns and commercial corridors, in business and employing local people."
