can fondly recall the first time I realized that movies plus alcohol equals a good time. It was the summer of 1989. I was visiting family in the UK, or rather, in the boondocks of London, which was where they resided. We had to walk about half an hour to reach the cinema which was jam-packed by the time we got there. To our pre-pubescent delight, the only movie playing was the seminal Karate Kid III so like any self-respecting teenagers, we bought tickets to the show and sat down with our popcorn to watch Ralph Macchio butterfly kick his way to victory.

Amidst the darkness, the slight, unfamiliar scent of hops and barley were in the air. People were actually drinking in the theatre (maybe not such a good idea in retrospect), and they weren’t brown-bagging it either. They purchased their refreshments at the same place that we purchased our Maltesers. It was unlike any other movie-going experience I had ever had. I don’t remember if Daniel-san won (I’d put my money on the win), but I do remember that the English, ale-swilling audience sure enjoyed whatever happened on the screen.

Of course, being drunk during a movie is prohibitive because of that annoying bladder-emptying problem (which I’m sure some skilful individuals have ratified with an empty drink container over the years), but if you have tiny bladder syndrome, a few cold libations enjoyed post-cinematic experience is always a good idea. That’s when the ideas start flowing (not just from your loins) and you suddenly realize that 8 Mile is actually a homoerotic parable between Rabbitt and Future.

The newly reignited and renamed Marquee Room (a rather elitist yet authoritative name than their old contrived moniker Kaboom Room ) resides in the mezzanine of the Uptown Stage & Screen Cinema. What was once an after-hours haunt for cinephiles in the wake of an Uptown screening at the annual International Film Festival, is now a dusk till legal-drinking-hour hangout to check out the latest art exhibits, live music shows and DJs. That’s right, not just film geek banter about the existentialism of Mr. Miyagi (save that for after-party revelries at your apartment).

Not much has been done to reinvent the inside; the same spacious open concept, feature windows overlooking Stephen Avenue and paper lanterns remain. Frankly, this is a good thing. The building in which the Uptown and Marquee Room make their home has always been one of the best examples of late Art-Moderne style in the city (yes, Calgary’s history includes period architecture). Winding staircases, theatre curtains that actually open before the movie starts, and a foyer that has been known to summon images of Miami beach art deco style is ample enough to warrant a visit. But, a bar as well? Not just any bar, folks.