The Hamilton JournalNews reported in August that officials at Dallas-based Rave Cinemas — the fifth-largest American theater chain that owns or manages 62 theaters in 21 states — were closely watching the increasing list of cinemas to offer adult beverages to moviegoers.
But officials at the 18-screen West Chester Twp. theater, located at 9415 Civic Center Blvd., don’t have plans to begin serving alcohol right away.
The cinema is being proactive by seeking the state-issued permit while officials at the company’s corporate office decide whether to move forward with serving adult beverages, according to a theater manager who declined to share his name.
Locally, Showcase Cinemas in Springdale has been offering adult beverages at its Chatters Bar & Grill since October 2004, according to spokeswoman Rachel Lulay. The menu includes beer, wine and speciality cocktails.
Rave Cinemas Dayton South near the Dayton Mall started serving wine, beer, frozen margaritas and frozen rum and Cokes this summer.
The Rave Cinemas at The Greene in Beavercreek previously had a bar that offered alcohol, and in the spring of 2011, it began allowing adult patrons to carry drinks purchased at its bar into a handful of its theaters on Friday and Saturday nights. The experiment worked well, and now, moviegoers at either Rave Cinemas location who have valid ID can purchase drinks and carry those drinks into any showing in any of the cinemas’ theaters
West Chester Twp. resident Dan Meehan voiced frustration about the liquor permit approval, calling it “pitiful.”
“It may not be a problem for you (trustees) to police, but it’s going to be a terrible problem for the police to police,” Meehan said. “It’s unbelievable to me that now we’re coming to movie theaters that serve liquor and I’m sure that it’s going to be a problem for minors.”
The West Chester Twp. Police Department reviewed the application from Rave and recommended that trustees not object, according to Barb Wilson, West Chester Twp. spokeswoman.
Trustees George Lang and Lee Wong voted to approve the motion. Trustee Catherine Stoker had an excused absence.
Staff Writer Mark Fisher contributed to this report.
About the Author