Saskatoon movie house first in Saskatchewan to offer booze at screenings

Depending on your point of view, Saskatchewan has joined the civilized world by allowing movie patrons to enjoy liquor while watching a movie at a theatre, or the sky is falling.

Saskatoon's Broadway Theatre has become the first in the province to offer beer and wine during screenings, the Star Phoenix reports.

"If you decide you want a little glass of wine while you watch a film, I want you to be able to do that," Kirby Wirchenko, executive director of the theatre, told the paper.

Saskatchewan, following the lead of other provinces such as neighbouring Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, has revised its liquor laws to allow movie patrons to imbibe in "age-restricted areas."

[ Related: Alcohol coming to a B.C. theatre near you ]

The Broadway already served booze at live theatre events it hosts, Wirchenko told the Star Phoenix. Offering it to movie-goers was the next logical step.

Cineplex Entertainment also plans to open one of its VIP cinemas in the province, which are licensed to serve alcohol and offer food and drink viewers can order from their seats.

"It's a much bigger concept than just the alcohol," Mike Langdon, director of communications with Cineplex Entertainment, told the Star Phoenix.

The company currently has VIP theatres in Edmonton, Metro Vancouver, Winnipeg, suburban Montreal, Toronto and London, Ont. Another location is to open in Calgary this year.

The loosening of regulations began about a decade ago in B.C. and Quebec, followed by Alberta, then Ontario in 2008. CBC News reported at the time Cineplex was enforcing a two-drink limit.

The idea received mixed reviews from Ontario movie patrons, CBC News said. Some welcomed the homy ambiance of being able to enjoy a cold beverage in front of the big screen. Others saw it as unnecessary.

All the provinces impose age restrictions on performances where liquor is available.

[ More Brew: Missing Ontario teacher Jeffrey Boucher may have ‘walked away,’ but police continue search ]

The Broadway's Wirchenko said he doesn't expect underage drinkers to be a problem at his theatre.

"We don't play Disney blockbusters . . . it's a relatively intellectual audience coming in here," he told the Star Phoenix.

And the price in a venue where you practically need a bank loan to buy a popcorn, a cola and a chocolate bar?

"If you buy a large Pepsi, I'm probably making as much on that as on a beer," he said.

When the VIP theatre opened in Toronto, beer was offered at $4.

It all sounds good, as long as it doesn't lead to an increase in loud-talkers.