More movie theaters selling alcohol
Island 16 Cinema de Lux, 185 Morris Ave., Holtsville: With enough time having passed since the price of movie tickets hit double digits to the left of the decimal point, it's time to accept it and move on. But Island 16: Cinema De Lux in Holtsville makes spending even more worth the price of admission. For an extra three bucks per ticket, you can sit in a Director's Hall theater, reserve your exact seat and have food and drinks delivered right to your seat up to 10 minutes before the first preview. If purchasing online or over the phone, you automatically get best available seating. Credit: James Carbone
There was a big fuss in Levittown last month about the possibility of a local movie theater selling alcoholic beverages. Hempstead officials and local residents worried that under-age moviegoers might get their hands on spirits. In the words of Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray, "If movies booze, families lose."
Maybe not great poetry, but according to the North Hollywood, Calif.-based National Association of Theater Owners, there's more alcohol served at movies than ever before.
Association media director Patrick Corcoran said there are about 400 movie theaters nationwide that now offer dinner or alcoholic beverages or both (alcohol is allowed only in designated areas). That is only 7 percent of the nation's 5,700 movie theaters, but the numbers have been growing. "It's a trend," Corcoran said.
On Long Island the idea has been opposed in Levittown, but not in Holtsville.
Murray and Hempstead Councilman Gary Hudes led a rally opposing plans by Multi-Cinema Inc. to file an application with the State Liquor Authority to sell alcoholic beverages at the AMC Loews Nassau Metroplex in Levittown.
Town spokesman Mike Deery said Hempstead officials asked AMC about its plans but the company has not yet responded. AMC spokesman Ray Noonan said the company has not yet filed an SLA application. Hudes said the town's main concern is that it does not know what plans AMC has. "We'd love to hear what their ideas are," he said.
The situation is different in Holtsville, where National Amusements already sells alcohol at its Chatters Bar & Grill at its Island 16: Cinema de Lux on Morris Avenue. National Amusements spokeswoman Rachel Lulay said in an email, "We have operated this theater with a liquor license since we opened in October of 2002. Our full assortment of adult beverages includes beer, wine and mixed drinks."
In December, National Amusements applied to the SLA for renewal of its liquor license.
Wayne Carrington, president of the Farmingville-Holtsville Chamber of Commerce, said, "I don't see much of a problem as long as they're responsible for themselves. Anytime they have a problem, they don't joke around. They either handle it or call the authorities immediately."
Brookhaven spokesman Jack Krieger said, "No objections were received by the town" to the application. Corcoran said, "It's not different than a restaurant serving alcohol. It's basically just about being a responsible outlet."
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