Those looking for a little liquid courage during a first date or a frosty adult beverage to beat the heat will soon be in luck, as several Fresno-area movie theaters are close to finalizing their plans to sell beer and wine.
You may have noticed some construction just inside the auditorium entrance at Sierra Vista Cinemas. Neil Pearlmutter, vice president of Sierra Vista Cinemas parent company Santa Rosa Entertainment Group, explained the workers are building a bar, which should be ready to serve alcohol by June 2 – just in time for the anticipated release of “Wonder Woman.”
The specifics, such as the cost of a drink and what brands will be sold, were not yet available, but Pearlmutter said the liquor launch will coincide with the unveiling of an updated food menu.
Sierra Vista will likely be the first theater in the Fresno/Clovis to serve booze, but two others will follow right behind it.
Jason Montgomery is the Fresno-area supervising agent of the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, which issues all of the state’s liquor licenses. He confirmed that Sierra Vista Cinemas’ application had been reviewed and approved.
He also noted that the applications from Regal Manchester Stadium 16 in central Fresno’s Manchester Center and Edwards Fresno Stadium 22 & IMAX in northeast Fresno’s River Park were approved and would be issued to the theaters’ parent company, Regal Entertainment Group, by May 19. Multiple attempts to contact Regal for comment were not successful, so it’s not known exactly when both theaters will start serving alcohol.
Sierra Vista, Manchester and Edwards each posted public notices of their intent to sell alcohol in July. However, none will be the first to sell beer and wine in the central San Joaquin Valley. The Galaxy Tulare 10 in the Tulare Outlet Center became the first in the central San Joaquin Valley to offer alcohol in September 2014.
Check back with The Bee around June 2 for updates on Sierra Vista Cinemas’ launch.
Rory Appleton: 559-441-6015, @RoryDoesPhonics
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