Somerville Theatre bans (young) kids from entering after 6 pm. Let's discuss it here

[ron_newman]

This week's Somerville News has an article about the Somerville Theatre's policy of banning children under 12 8* from entering the theatre after 6 pm, even if they are accompanied by adults.

Is the theatre's policy a service to its customers who want a peaceful movie experience, or is it unfair discrimination against families with young children?

I'm posting this because we can have a more civilized discussion here than on the Somerville News blog comments. Ian Judge, the theatre's manager, reads this community, so we may be able to provide useful feedback to him here.

* Edited 11:55 am to add: I have a serious factual issue with this article. It says the policy applies to children under 12, but the theatre's website and exterior signs say it's for children under 8. That's a significant difference -- maybe significant enough to change people's opinions.

Second edit, 3 pm: Ian Judge has clarified that the theatre's policy is to exclude children under 8, not 12, from entering after 6 pm. He had made an erroneous statement to the News reporter which very unfortunately made it into the published article. Also, here is Ian's response to the specific incident detailed in the News article.

Comments

[purpless77.livejournal.com]

I lost any and all respect for this theater after they started to serve alcohol. So they lost me a while ago but this would've stopped me from going there anyway, even though I have no children. This theater is no longer family friendly and it's a complete shame. It is up to parents on whether or not their children should attend a late movie. I'm usually the one complaining in the theater about a crying baby. But a ten year old Superman fan is not a crying baby. I can see a lot of the yuppies who don't yet have children approving of this and preferring it. Which as stated in the article is the crowd this theater now caters to. Catering to these people isn't going to bring our Somerville back to the good days of family. I myself even as someone who has no children feels that this is going over board. I have friends who once I show them this will no longer attend this theater either.

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

I lost any and all respect for this theater after they started to serve alcohol.

Do you feel that way about restaurants and clubs, too? And Arlington?

[firepail.livejournal.com]

zing!

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

DAMN THAT MENOTOMY

[firepail.livejournal.com]

although, no liquor there, so... useless!

[ron_newman]

Arlington now has several beer and wine stores.

[firepail.livejournal.com]

right, but wine and beer aren't liquor.

[ron_newman]

What's wrong with the theatre serving beer and wine? I really like having this option available. To my knowledge, the theatre strictly cards, and doesn't let you buy more than one drink at a time, so the potential for drunken rowdiness is quite limited.

[infinitehotel.livejournal.com]

I'm not anti-alcohol in any way, but I do find the beer unpleasant. Seeing "Grindhouse", the smell of stale beer was kind of nostalgic, but three hours of "The Dark Knight" in a theater that smelled like Sunday morning dorm was bad enough that it makes me think twice about seeing other movies there.

I hate popcorn smell...

[nvidia99999.livejournal.com]

It ruins the atmosphere of most movies...

Re: I hate popcorn smell...

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

and popcorn is kitniyot, so it's offensive to some religions at some times.

Re: I hate popcorn smell...

[infinitehotel.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reminding me that even when you have no shoes, there's always someone who has no feet. With your crippling handicap, I guess you'll just have to watch movies at home. I give thanks every day that my issues are less severe and there are many, many other options available where my minor aversion will not be a problem.

Have faith in the Lord and maybe someday you will be healed.

=J

[wallacestreet.livejournal.com]

What about us yuppies who do have children and have no problem with it? Especially if the age is 8 and not 12. When I'm out in the evening I love the idea of beer and a movie. Sadly for me, it's mostly the idea that I love since we yuppies with kids don't get out as much as we used to. Ah well, you pick your poison...

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

I can see a lot of the yuppies who don't yet have children approving of this and preferring it.

Don't YET have children? Newsflash: not all human beings choose to have children.

Which as stated in the article is the crowd this theater now caters to. Catering to these people isn't going to bring our Somerville back to the good days of family.

Hello, offensive statement!

Adults who choose not to have children can also be a "family". I'm usually one to point and laugh at hardcore child-free people, but really this is too much.

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

I can see a lot of the yuppies who don't yet have children approving of this and preferring it.

You're joking right? It's the Yuppies who have the kids and zillion dollar strollers and put up the hissy fit when asked to remove their annoyance kid from a theatre.