“Screw the arts - let’s watch sports!”
This was the message arranged in big block letters on the Rio Theatre’s marquee on Tuesday. A photo of the marquee was posted by the official Rio Theatre Twitter account which also advertised the bar’s times of operation: open daily 3:30 to 10 p.m. starting Saturday, January 23, with a happy hour running from 3:30 to 6 p.m.
The tweet also mentioned the bar will have no cover charge and that minors would be welcome in the balcony.
Another day, another marquee... Open daily 3:30 pm - 10:00 pm starting this Saturday, January 23. Catch the big game on the biggest screen in town! Happy hour 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm. No cover. Minors welcome in the balcony. #BCPoli #YVRARTS pic.twitter.com/irdsO5ZoIF
— Rio Theatre (@RioTheatre) January 19, 2021
In a press release provided by the Rio, the Vancouver cinema said it was the safest sports bar in town with the biggest screen.
“Since we already have a Liquor Primary and Limited Food license, we are adapting in an effort to keep the doors open,” the release states.
Last week Vancouver Is Awesome reported on a petition created by Corinne Lea, owner and operator of the Rio Theatre. The petition, which garnered over 6,600 signatures, was directed at B.C.’s top doctor Bonnie Henry and B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix in an effort to allow theatres and cinemas to operate within the province's coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions like restaurants and bars have been.
