Pickford patrons enjoy a beer with their film

Beginning Feb. 17, Pickford Film Center permits the consumption of beer and wine in its designated 21 and older theater.   Bellingham moviegoers requested that Pickford Film Center allow people to take their alcoholic beverages from the lobby into the theater to watch the film. 

Pickford Film Center got the approval to allow the consumption of beer and wine from The Washington State Liquor Control Board. 

To get this approval, Pickford Film Center was required to designate one of their two theaters as a 21 and older room at all times.  Pickford Film Center decided to go along with this requirement due to the public support for being able to have a glass of wine or beer along with their other concessions items while watching a film, according to Pickford Film Center’s website.

Pickford Film Center was founded in 1998 by a small group of film fans and has been playing independent, foreign and documentary films at 1318 Bay St. ever since.

Until now, alcohol was only permitted in the lobby of the theater, Alice Clark Pickford Film Center’s Executive Director said.

“Serving beer and wine is a strategy non-profit arts leaders have adopted to keep their doors open,” Michael Falter, Pickford Film Center program director said. 

Across the country many theaters are beginning to allow alcohol in their theaters as a way to entice people into going out to see a film, rather than stay at home.

“We believe that if patrons can have a drink at home, then there is no reason they shouldn’t be able to have that same experience at Pickford Film Center,” Falter said. 

Many of Pickford Film Center’s staff was inspired to pursue getting a permit so that people could take their alcoholic drinks into the theater because they had been to other theaters that had allowed this.

Falter traveled to Europe 25 years ago and noticed almost all theaters served beer and wine.

“I couldn’t wonder why American theaters couldn’t offer the same experience,” Falter said.

With the new policy in place, many Bellingham residents have been able to enjoy this new way of watching a film.

“So far we have 95 percent praise for the freedom to have a drink in our theater,” Falter said.  “Most people are here to watch a movie, so the alcohol is simply an adjunct to that experience.”

Western student Rae Parks recently went to a showing of “The Love of Beer,” which was played in the 21 and older theater.

“It’s really fun to bring beer into a theater,” said Parks.  “I have never been to a theater where that was allowed before so I will definitely go again.”

Those who have responded with questions are concerned about access for people under 21 years old, which is something Falter has concerns about too.

“We want to remain all ages on all screens, and that’s our ultimate goal,” Falter said.

Rep. Jim Moeller (D-Vancouver) proposed a new bill that would allow minors and people over 21 drinking alcohol to watch a movie in the same theater.

Until Moeller’s bill passes, Pickford Film Center is trying to make sure all of their major features, such as silent film “The Artist,” have at least a week in the all-ages theater.

Some other films that are currently being shown at Pickford Film Center are “A Separation,” which received an Oscar nomination and also “Forty Guns.”  “Forty Guns” will be shown in the 21 and over theater on March 15.