# Do you ever get alcoholic beverages at the cinema/movie theatre **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies, liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [April 2, 2024, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723 "2024-04-02T05:53:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/1 "2024-04-02T05:53:19Z")
When going to see a film at the cinema, do you ever get an alcoholic beverage? Does it matter if it’s at a place like Alamo Drafthouse or a chain like an AMC? For me, the answer is yes about 50% of the time. On weekends, I will often visit a museum early afternoon, see a film late afternoon and then get dinner at a restaurant It will kinda depend on my mood. I almost always get a drink, alcohol or soda, anyway. Obviously having to get up to pee during the movie is annoying, so it would depend on the film. Missing a few minutes of a comedy is different than a spy thriller where you’re likely to miss another double cross. Can we please, pretty please, not hijack this immediately to make a rant about concession prices? ---
**Author:** ![nightshadea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7ba0ec/32.png) [@nightshadea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nightshadea)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 6:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/2 "2024-04-02T06:36:08Z")
ive never paid for it or done it legally … but when we were older teens we had one of those bags you can put in the freezer to keep things cold and put in a 12-pack of club canned cocktails (mudslides) and watched the weekly double feature a few times ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/3 "2024-04-02T06:41:46Z")
I wouldn’t get an alcoholic drink at a movie theatre because I don’t want to have my perception of the movie clouded by being tipsy. ---
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/4 "2024-04-02T09:53:59Z")
Too expensive to get a drink at the movies, especially if you just spend a load of money at the concession stand. That and I rarely drink while watching movies at home unless its something I’ve seen 20 time before line Pulp fiction or Scarface where you know something good and gory is coming up. ---
**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/5 "2024-04-02T10:07:59Z")
Going to the movies, at the cinema, is popcorn and Coke. Watching them at home on DVD is popcorn and beer. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/6 "2024-04-02T10:59:41Z")
I haven’t been to a movie since it’s become possible to get alcohol at a movie house. But I intend to try it soon. With a proper adult beverage. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/7 "2024-04-02T12:29:38Z")
I rarely buy an alcoholic beverage at a restaurant (because of the cost and because I don’t get any especial euphoric feelings from one or two drinks), so I certainly wouldn’t bother in a movie theatre. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/8 "2024-04-02T12:38:02Z")
I only do it if it’s available. And, then basically every time. Those places are not that common around here. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/9 "2024-04-02T13:16:05Z")
I remember being shocked when the local theatres began offering alcohol. I’m not willing to pay the premium price and wait until I get home for a beer. Even soda and popcorn have gotten too expensive. I rarely visit the snack bar. Last time we went I did buy popcorn and it was a nice treat. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/10 "2024-04-02T13:57:31Z")
I don’t think alcohol is available at our area theaters. If it were I wouldn’t partake anyway. Popcorn and a Diet Coke and something chocolatey that I may have smuggled in. ---
**Author:** ![chela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chela/32/21582_2.png) [@chela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chela)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/11 "2024-04-02T14:12:05Z")
Yes just this weekend at the Music Box Theatre in Chicago for the midnight showing of _Stop making sense_ Also could’ve gotten up to dance too! ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/12 "2024-04-02T15:04:43Z")
I’ve never seen alcohol sold at our local theater (we only have one) so no, I’ve never done it, but even if it was available, I wouldn’t buy it since I don’t need a drink to enjoy a good movie, plus I’d have to get up and pee during the middle which would spoil the movie for me. I like to watch a movie from beginning to end without interruptions, especially if I just paid $12 to watch it. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/13 "2024-04-02T15:17:08Z")
Yep there’s a cinema that’s also a cocktail bar near to me. Lovely to watch a movie with an old fashioned. I’ve also been to cinemas where you are allowed to bring your own drinks in, and kinda followed the peer pressure to bring in beers. But I don’t think beer works as well; you inevitably need a bathroom break. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/14 "2024-04-02T17:07:18Z")
I would sometimes sneak in a split of champagne and two glasses for my wife and I to enjoy at a movie. More recently, as options have become more available, I’ll order a beer or glass of wine at the theater. Bathroom breaks are not required, regardless of having a few drinks. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/15 "2024-04-02T17:28:19Z")
Never. I don’t want to have to pee during the film and I’d never pay those prices anyway. I don’t think most of my local theaters even sell alcohol. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/16 "2024-04-02T17:36:13Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > I like to watch a movie from beginning to end without interruptions, especially if I just paid $12 to watch it. One of the few places I’ve been to that serves alcohol always has an intermission during the movie. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/17 "2024-04-02T17:42:12Z")
> [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](#): > > I don’t want to have to pee during the film and I’d never pay those prices anyway. My objection isn’t to price, but quality. (for wine. Beer is another matter). _Poll ([view on site](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/17))_ ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/18 "2024-04-02T17:44:59Z")
If there’s “table” service and we’re getting dinner with the show then I might include a drink. In for a penny and all that. If it was just bar service and I’d have to go get my own drink then no. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/19 "2024-04-02T17:48:25Z")
Booze + Dark Space + Watching Film = Sleep ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [April 2, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723/20 "2024-04-02T18:17:37Z")
We have a nice theater here with huge comfy seats (and reserved seating - there’s no general admission). They have a restaurant and bar attached to the theater and you can also order food and drink to be brought to your seat. I will sometimes order a glass of wine there. I have no issues with it affecting me mentally or physically - one glass of wine lasts an entire average-length movie for me so I really don’t feel any effects from it. I rarely see movies in the theater - maybe two or three times a year - so I rather enjoy making a little event out of it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-ever-get-alcoholic-beverages-at-the-cinema-movie-theatre/999723.md?page=2)