B.C. movie theatres can now get a license to serve alcohol during screenings but it will be some time yet, if at all, before the service comes to Famous Players Prince George.
Cineplex Entertainment spokesperson Pat Marshall said there are no immediate plans to seek a licence for the six-screen theatre at Parkwood Mall.
"We have not announced any plans for Prince George at this time but we're always looking at opportunities," Marshall said from Toronto.
Instead, Cineplex will concentrate on bringing alcohol sales to its VIP cinemas. There is currently only one in B.C., at Silver City in Coquitlam, but two more locations in the Lower Mainland are in the works.
VIP cinemas are adult-only auditoriums open only to those age 19 and older. They feature large leather seats with side tables that can be reserved through a private box office and there is food and beverage service delivered directly to the seat. A licensed lounge or restaurant can also be part of the venues.
"We also may renovate some existing locations to add VIP cinemas, but we have not announced that," Marshall said.
Announcing the change Wednesday, Housing Minister Rich Coleman, who's responsible for liquor laws, said the booze will be restricted to adult-only auditoriums in both movie houses and live event theatres.
Coleman said the theatres must be closed to minors during screenings because in the dark it would be difficult to enforce the rules against under-age drinking.
Coleman also said the rules strike the right balance between allowing liquor service at theatres and making sure no minors are drinking.
The change comes after the old rules that banned liquor in movie houses forced the Rio Theatre in Vancouver to lay off staff and give up $40,000 worth of business when it had to back out of a local film festival in January.
Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario allow alcohol in movie theatres, with age restrictions.
- with files from Canadian Press
