In thrilling news from Olympia, house bill 2558, which would allow adults to buy and drink alcohol at the movies, is getting some amendments:

1. Multiplexes can apply for a license, but only one room can be booze-friendly.

2. The definition of "theater" has been broadened from cinema to: "A place where motion pictures or live musical, dance, artistic, dramatic, literary, or educational performances are shown."

The bill also requires a "minor control plan" to keep children sober, but doesn't specify what that would look like.

(The background to the bill is here—basically, legislators from the Vancouver area introduced it because a renovated movie place down that way wants to get into the brew 'n' view business.)

In other brew 'n' view news: Central Cinema, the Central District's beloved TV room since 2005, recently realized that it was in an awkward legal situation after the Washington State Liquor Control Board rewrote a rule in 2010. The rule change states that if you're a movie theater selling hooch, "no minors would be allowed on the entire premises at all times." Not just when they're serving alcohol—ever.

Kevin Spitzer, who runs Central Cinema, says that would cut at least a third out of his business: The theater has family sing-along events, cartoon programming, children's films, hosts neighborhood parties, serves as a de facto classroom for the Reel Grrls education nonprofit, and lots of other family- and kid-oriented stuff.

Spitzer didn't realize the rules had even been rewritten until he applied for a liquor license (currently the cinema serves only beer and wine) and was told his business plan and until-now spotless record with the WSLCB had been bureaucratically reclassified into perdition.

Since it serves a full menu, the cinema had been running until recently with a restaurant beer-and-wine license like the Triple Door, Jazz Alley, Teatro ZinZanni, and other places with food, drinks, and entertainment. But the rule change (you can read its thrill-a-minute text here) clumsily dictated that movie screen + alcohol service = no minors shall darken your doors.

There are philosophical issues at play in both situations. The house bill, for example, talks about "minimize minors' exposure to a drinking environment." And Spitzer says some people criticize Central Cinema just because minors can witness adults drinking alcohol.

"There’s this attitude that people only drink in this country to get fucked up," he says. "There's no idea of socialization and learning the right way to do it with your family. Then most people’s first experiences with alcohol are spring break and going too far. Binge drinking is so high in this country because kids grow up in this prohibition atmosphere—people don’t even want kids to see drinking!"

But, Spitzer says, the WSLCB has expressed interest in finding a solution. And his concerned calls to city hall have earned him a letter signed by the city council, the mayor, and the city attorney asking the WSLCB to change or strike the 2010 rule.

The wheels of government turn slowly, but things are looking up for Washingtonians who like to drink at the movies but feel nervous about sneaking in their own liquor.