Somerville Theater Beer/Wine License

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

Most of you probably already know this, but: BEER. AT. MOVIES. And reasonably priced, too!

Comments

[mrboboto.livejournal.com]

I've only seen it staffed at shows. Can you buy beer for movies as well?

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

I am told that you can also get beer at movies.

[pushupstairs.livejournal.com]

I partook of such awesomeness last friday at the ATHF movie. it was great! they had that new Harpoon Brown Ale, which was very tasty.

[znhoward.livejournal.com]

You watched the Mooninites?! Dude, that's like . . . treason, right?

[ron_newman]

Yes, they have beer and wine for both movies and live shows. They are very protective of their liquor license, so you need a Mass. ID, and you can buy only one beer or wine at a time.

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

Will they accept US Passports?

[ron_newman]

I think so

[teratomarty.livejournal.com]

That's amazing! I spent some time in Texas, and the only thing that was better in Texas than Massachusetts was that you could have a beer as you watched a movie on the big screen.

[ron_newman]

There are also movie theatres in Clinton, Stoughton, and Haverhill with beer. I haven't yet visited any of them.

clarification...

[shellyckickinit.livejournal.com]

just to clarify...they well beer/wine at the somerville theatre? that rocks! i've never been. but now think i must!

Re: clarification...

[ron_newman]

They sell it, but they don't have a well.

Re: clarification...

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

Well of beer. That would be pretty awesome, and I don't even like beer.

[pushupstairs.livejournal.com]

I haven't been to the Chunky's in Haverhill, but they have another one in Pelham, NH, which is the same deal: restaurant and movie theater in one shot. getting a bucket of six beers at a movie is quite awesome!

[bwilder.livejournal.com]

Oh man, was it the Alamo in Austin? That place is amazing. I hope that the Somerville develops ths infrastructure to deal with drunks, though. I once sat through the Big Lebowski with an posse of drunk girls talking at the top of their lungs the whole time, but no one in the lobby to do anything about it. It was infuriating.

[ron_newman]

That's why they have the "one drink per trip" rule. They also won't sell after 11 pm.

from the horse's mouth

[ron_newman]

The theatre's official website says:

ABOUT OUR CONCESSIONS

Our concession stand serves fresh popcorn (popped every day) and PEPSI products. We feature REAL BUTTER for your popcorn if you so desire. We pop our corn in CANOLA OIL.

Now serving wine and Harpoon beer for our patrons 21 years and older. You must have a valid Massachusetts I.D. or U.S. Passport in order to purchase beer or wine. Patrons may purchase only one beverage per person and obey all rules of the house — please enjoy responsibly. As always, we encourage all guests to utilize public transportation.

Some media coverage:
Bostonist article
Boston Herald article

Re: from the horse's mouth

[theora.livejournal.com]

Not non-US passports, though? That kinda sucks :-/

Re: from the horse's mouth

[ron_newman]

I think they're just trying to limit the number of document types they need to be able to recognize, so their staff don't have to determine whether a Lower Slobbovian passport is fake.

Re: from the horse's mouth

[theora.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that makes sense, I can understand what a pain it would be to have to check all the different formats. But for visitors/students from abroad (or even people from other states who haven't brought their passport), it still kinda sucks.

Re: from the horse's mouth

[koloratur.livejournal.com]

I work with a lot of International Students...the good news is that you can get a Mass ID for $25, with relatively little hassle. A lot of them do it because it's easier than hauling a passport to every bar you visit - and less of a problem if your bag gets stolen or something. Here's the link, just in case anyone needs one:

http://tinyurl.com/2o7o9a

Re: from the horse's mouth

[clevernonsense.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine has a greek passport which is pretty much impossible to read, but she's also really cute so she never really has a problem getting away with it.

We shouldn't let foreigners drink, anyhow. ;)

Re: from the horse's mouth

[chumbolly.livejournal.com]

I actually think Massachusetts Law requires a Mass. ID, a U.S. Passport, or U.S. military ID to purchase alcohol anywhere in the Commonwealth. This law is infrequently enforced, as I've certainly bought beer with an out of state ID, but I have been refused once, and I saw a guy get refused a couple of weeks ago when he tried to buy beer with a Guatamalan passport. It is a very dumb law.

Re: from the horse's mouth

[theora.livejournal.com]

According to the Mass General Laws Title XX Chapter 138 Section 34B: (http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/138-34b.htm)

Any licensee, or agent or employee thereof, under this chapter who reasonably relies on such a liquor purchase identification card or motor vehicle license issued pursuant to section eight of chapter ninety, or on a valid passport issued by the United States government, or by the government, recognized by the United States government, of a foreign country, or a valid United States issued military identification card, for proof of a person’s identity and age shall not suffer any modification, suspension, revocation or cancellation of such license [bolding mine]

So it looks like it's okay to accept a foreign passport as ID. Still a hassle, I suppose, to try and verify stuff in a different format and/or language. But I do wonder how much verification they actually do of Massachusetts IDs and US passports. I don't remember anybody doing more than glancing at mine.

Re: from the horse's mouth

[theora.livejournal.com]

Though looking at that section again, it seems to apply only to "Druggists". Er. Surely it can't be completely different for other booze-selling establishments?

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Out of curiosity, what are the prices?

[ron_newman]

The Bostonist article says "Pints [of beer] are going for only $4, a glass of wine will run you $6."

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

That's pretty good for a pint. I have to abstain though because a pint of beer means 5 trips to the loo for me. And I don't want to miss the movie!

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

I was just saying that to my roomie earlier!

Well, not that precisely, but that I'd be disinclined to drink beer at the movies because I don't want to have to miss anything. Better to just have a quick shot ahead of time. 8)

[plumtreeblossom.livejournal.com]

Woot! Tequilla!

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

I saw that in the paper the other day and I think it's awesome!