SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Bow Tie Cinemas announced that Movieland 6 in Schenectady is the first movie theater in New York State to serve beer, wine, and cider under the State Liquor Authority’s new guidelines as declared earlier this year.
The new guidance, the result of a declaratory ruling made by the SLA, allows for movie theaters to serve beer, wine, and cider to theatergoers without having to have a table at every seat. Previously, theaters were restricted to consumption inside a café area adjoining the lobby or if the theater had a full restaurant kitchen, theater staff were only permitted to bring beverages to a patron at their seat with a fixed table.
“This has been years in the making and we couldn’t be more proud that Movieland is the first theater in New York State to be covered by this new guidance by the SLA,” said Joe Masher, chief operating officer of Bow Tie Cinemas. “Thanks to Governor Hochul and our longtime legislative champions, Senator Diane Savino and Assemblymember Patricia Fahy, for making this possible this year. Bow Tie Cinemas has an excellent track record of responsible serving of alcoholic beverages, in addition to working with local craft beverage producers such as Druthers Brewing and Nine Pin Cider.”
Through this new regulation, movie theaters – which have been longtime anchors for many Upstate downtowns or commercial corridors – will be able to directly support local craft beverage producers within their communities.
In commemoration of the change, Bow Tie Cinemas invited local and state officials to help celebrate.
“After some very challenging times, today begins a new chapter for local theaters like downtown Bow Tie Movieland 6 here in the heart of Downtown Schenectady,” Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara said. “That’s why I’ve supported this initiative over the years and I’m happy to see it finally become a reality — it not only gives these businesses the ability to better serve our community by offering alcoholic beverages to enjoy during the show, but also helps boost our local economy during New York’s ongoing economic recovery.”
“On behalf of the City of Schenectady, we congratulate Bow Tie Cinemas for being among the very first theaters in the state to offer this new amenity and we applaud the SLA for allowing this common sense decision to move forward that will add value to our local theater destinations,” said Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy.
“We congratulate the Bow Tie team for receiving approval to serve beer, wine and spirits inside their six-screen cinema in downtown Schenectady,” said Ray Gillen, chairman of the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority. “As one of the first theaters in New York to receive this approval, we encourage Capital Region residents to visit Bow Tie Schenectady, take in a movie and enjoy their favorite beverage.”
“Bow Tie Cinemas Movieland 6 is one of Downtown Schenectady’s favorite destinations. The SLA’s recent ruling allowing on-premises beer and wine sales without restrictions puts the theater on a level playing field with other entertainment venues and creates a vital revenue stream to assist with pandemic recovery,” said Jim Salengo, executive director of the Downtown Schenectady Improvement Corporation. “I applaud Bow Tie for championing this change and being one of the first cinemas in the state to fully implement the new rules.”
Tickets for this weekend’s movies are currently available for purchase on the Bow Tie App and at bowtiecinemas.com.
For more information about Bow Tie Cinemas, visit bowtiecinemas.com.
About Bow Tie Cinemas: Bow Tie Cinemas is a four-generation family-owned cinema company headquartered in Ridgefield, Connecticut. Bow Tie Cinemas owns and operates luxury cinemas in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, and Colorado. bowtiecinemas.com
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