Alcohol to help Muvico revenue stream

Muvico patrons expecting to order an alcoholic beverage with their movie have been disappointed ever since the Ventura County Alcohol Beverage Control temporarily halted sales at the theater several weeks ago.

But for now, at least, weekend moviegoers won't have to worry. The ABC has extended an authorization that allows Muvico to serve alcohol using a licensed caterer while the theater waits for its own license to be approved.

The movie theater had been serving alcohol through a caterer since its opening on Feb. 27. But late last month the theater ran out of vendor authorizations and the ABC wasn't so sure the company's permanent application, turned in on Jan. 16, was going to be approved, ABC district manager Leslie Pond said.

Now that the license application is back on track, the ABC has given Muvico catering authorization on weekends, Pond said.

A company is generally allowed only 24 catering authorizations a year. Those authorizations, each good for a single day, are meant to bridge the time gap between applying for a permanent permit and receiving one.

It usually takes 60 to 120 days to get a permit approved, but lately, with the budget crisis and the state employee furloughs, the application process has been taking longer, Pond said.

Meanwhile, ticket sales remain strong as people flock to experience Thousand Oaks' only theater with stadium seating, spokesperson Rita Hollingsworth said. The 107,930-square-foot, three-story Muvico Theater opened at The Oaks mall with 14 auditoriums equipped with Southern California's only Sony 4K ultrahighdefinition projection. Four of the auditoriums have 3-D capability.

Luxury seating is available in one, all-premier 202-seat theater and two premier balcony seating auditoriums with 136 seats each.

Premier seating means people over 21 years old receive large, plush seats with wider armrests for food and, when available, alcoholic beverages from Bogart's Bar and Grill.

Before 4 p.m., general admission for adults is $9.50; after 4 p.m. the cost is $11. For seniors age 55 and up and children 12 and under, the cost is $8.50 per ticket for general admission at any time.

For $1 more, movie patrons can have reserved seating that includes a giant screen, leather seating and more legroom in selected theaters.

For those 21 and over, premier admission includes reserved seating and popcorn for $16 before 4 p.m. and $20 after 4 p.m. All 3-D features cost an extra $3.