Serving alcohol in theaters might seem strange to some traditional movie patrons, but it’s actually not that unusual and has been occurring for a few years in Clark County on a limited basis with no meaningful negative consequences.However, single-screen historic theaters such as the Kiggins in Vancouver and the Liberty in Camas are not allowed to serve alcohol where children are present. This compounds their already difficult competition against multiscreen, mega-theaters. Making the challenge even more imposing is the fact that small theater pubs in Portland serve alcohol; unknown numbers of patrons dismiss the Kiggins and the Liberty and venture across the river.
Fortunately, a worthwhile solution is making progress in the Legislature, led by prime sponsor state Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver. Under House Bill 1001, a $450 license would allow certain movie theaters to serve beer and wine even when children are present. Rigid safeguards make the bill deserving of broad support from legislators, particularly Clark County’s. A similar bill passed the House last year with bipartisan support and was due for a vote in the Senate when the Legislature became bogged down in resolving the budget shortfall.
Last Wednesday, a substitute bill with minor revisions advanced out of the House Committee on Government Accountability & Oversight, and is headed for the House Rules Committee.
Current law in Washington prohibits the sale of alcohol in theaters when children are present. Large theaters such as Cinetopia have separate “living room theaters” that serve adults only, but smaller theaters such as the Kiggins and the Liberty don’t have large enough buildings to keep pace.
