Movies 16 in Janesville is allowed to apply for a liquor license to serve alcohol after the city council approved an ordinance change Monday night.
The vote added movie theaters to the list of exceptions in the city’s separation ordinance for businesses allowed to sell alcohol and conduct other business.
A liquor license for the theater will still need to be approved by the city’s alcohol license advisory committee before Movies 16 can serve alcohol.
City Clerk Dave Godek said the earliest they could get their liquor license approved would be November.
Wildwood Theaters General Manager Sarah Lehr told the council she plans to convert the theater’s arcade area into a bar.
She said they will set up ID scanners at the point of entry and only allow one drink per ID to be purchased at a time.
Lehr also said the movie theater is seeking bids to replace their current reclining seating and improve the customer experience.
Movies 16 will likely have to pay the city of Janesville $10,000 for a Class B liquor license.
