The Orpheum Theater, 216 State St., is in the process of expanding their liquor license to allow alcohol in the large theater.
Orpheum owner Henry Doane said he thinks expanding his liquor license would be positive for the Orpheum's business. City Council President Mike Verveer, District 4, said at the time Doane bought the Orpheum, alcohol was only allowed to be served in the large theater for public parties, not for concerts that were held in
the theater.
Other theaters such as University Square Theaters, 62 University Square, are allowed to serve alcohol inside. Manager of U-Square Orion Henningsgaard said he feels that if alcohol is allowed in Orpheum's theater, it really will not hurt his business. He says most people come for the movie, not just for the alcohol.
Expanding the alcohol license has created concerns with the Madison Police Department and the city attorney's office, Doane said.
The Orpheum has had underage people on premises illegally, but allowing alcohol into the theater shouldn't increase the number of under-age violations, stated Verveer.
Doane said the theater uses bracelets and the bartenders serve only one drink per person during concerts that have a younger audience.
\Obviously if people are in the theater, it is harder to monitor what is going on, but it is nothing different than any other music venue in Madison,"" Doane said.
Space is another concern of Doane's and is a reason for expanding his license.
""Right now the lobby gets very congested during concerts when people can't take their drinks inside,"" Doane said.
By expanding the liquor license, Verveer said he thinks it will increase business at the Orpheum. At U-Square, alcohol inside the theater is a perk, but not the only reason for going, Henningsgaard said.
""I think it is in the back of their minds, it is definitely a plus,"" he said.
Doane said he will have to go before the Alcohol License Review Committee and present his point of view, and hopefully they will agree with him and modify his license to allow alcohol in the theater.
Verveer said the Barrymore Theater, 2090 Atwood Ave., allows alcohol in their auditorium, and he said he feels it is only fair that other theaters, such as the Orpheum, have equal rights.
