ArcLight Cinemas is one step closer to opening with all its amenities at Westfield Montgomery Mall after receiving approval Thursday for a beer, wine and liquor license from the Montgomery County Board of License Commissioners.
The cinemas are scheduled to open Nov. 7 in the Bethesda mall’s new dining terrace expansion. As long as ArcLight completes its compliance check with county inspectors before then, it will be able to serve wine, beer and liquor at the theater’s café, according to a department of liquor control employee.
ArcLight is part of a new movie-going experience trend in Montgomery County. The theaters feature all-reserved seating, a cafe and movie props and posters focused on upcoming films.
The new iPic Theater offers similar amenities and others such as oversized leather seating and VIP seats with cocktail tables and is scheduled to open at Pike & Rose on Rockville Pike on Oct. 31.
A rendering of the lobby of ArcLight Cinemas.
Also on the liquor front, Evalash and Nail Lounge in Bethesda received approval for a special salon liquor license, which permits the Wildwood Shopping Center nail salon to serve beer or a glass of wine or champagne to customers. The new license was created after the General Assembly earlier this year approved legislation to allow Montgomery County salons to serve beer and wine.