Jill Schramm/MDN AMC Theatre in Dakota Square Mall could offer dining with alcohol under an ordinance approved by the Minot City Council Tuesday.

AMC Dakota Square 9 cleared a hurdle in its effort to broaden its food and drink offerings with approval of a newly created license by the Minot City Council Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the council approved on final reading an ordinance creating a new category of alcoholic beverage license relating specifically to theaters. American Multi-Cinema applied for and was the first to receive this new license. With the additional approval of a state license, AMC Dakota Square 9 will be able to offer a restaurant and beverage service similar to that offered in some of AMC’s other theaters around the country.

The city created the ordinance in response to a request from AMC Theatres for a supper club license. As worded, Minot’s only other theater at Oak Park also would be eligible to apply.

The ordinance defines movie theater as an establishment of at least 7,500 square feet and fixed seating capacity for at least 150 people, where motion pictures are screened regularly and where the premises meets building code requirements.

The annual fee for a license is $3,125, which is consistent with a supper club license fee. Restrictions are the same as a supper club but also include:

– movie ticket purchase is required for purchase of an alcoholic beverage.

– Sales of drinks limited to one drink per customer at a time.

– Sale or consumption of alcohol is only permitted on the licensed preimises 90 minutes before a scheduled movie screening and must cease at the conclusion of the last movie screening.

– License holders will need to verify compliance (that gross sales of food are at least equal to gross sales of alcoholic beverages) annually.

There is no restriction on the number of movie theater alcoholic beverage licenses the city can issue.

AMC re-opened in Dakota Square at the end of August following a period of closure due to COVID-19.

The re-opening comes with a new mask requirement for guests and workers. Masks are available to purchase for a dollar. Masks may be removed for eating and drinking. Menu selections have been simplified for quicker service, and refills are unavailable. Social distancing also is encouraged, and hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes are available throughout the theater, including at concessions.

Auditoriums will be at 40% or less capacity. AMC has added extra time between shows for more thorough cleaning of theaters.

The theater manager spoke to the council about policies that keep underage employees from serving alcohol or cleaning auditoriums where alcohol has been served. Bartenders also receive server training. Customers are limited to the purchase of no more than two drinks, which must be purchased one at a time. Color-coded wrist bands are used to track the number of purchases and to help monitor compliance during routine theater checks.

The council discussed concerns about alcohol being served at times when family movies are shown. Council member Lisa Olson said there is concern in the community, and she suggests movie-goers talk with theater management to request times be set aside during family movies when alcohol won’t be available.

Council member Stephan Podrygula said he initially supported creating a separate area where drinks are sold, but that creates a bar area, which brings its own complications. He said he isn’t keen on the spread of sales of alcohol and other mind-altering substances but noted the theater business is having to reposition itself in today’s entertainment industry. Should selling alcohol help keep the theater in business, he is confident in their policies and enforcement, he said.

Council member Carrie Evans said the new theater alcohol license is a good move.

“One of the council’s goals is to be nimble and flexible with businesses in the community, and we have an industry that’s changing and adapting to new desires of customers,” she said.

“I am excited about this change because it allows for flexibility. We live in a free-market economy,” council member Paul Pitner added. “Patrons will let their voices be heard with their dollars. I really don’t have many reservations about this.”

The council unanimously approved the new license category and license to AMC.