Utah Theater Fined Same As Strip Clubs For Screening 'Hangover II'

Salt Lake City residents not only experienced characters played by actors Zach Galifianakis, Ed Helms and Bradley Cooper forgetting a majority of their nights, movie owners may have wished they forgot debuting the high-grossed R-rated film released back in May.

The fine was issued by the state liquor board late Thursday for Brewvies, which only allows people 21 years and older to attend their movies and serves food and liquor to patrons.

Although, under state law, many PG-13 and R-rated movies can get theaters showing a film with sex acts or full-frontal nudity, fined heavily.

This is Brewvies' first violation.

While the fine for the first offense was $1,627, repeat offenders may be fined up to $25,000 and lose their liquor license for up to 10 days.

The law is generally used to regulate strip clubs, which aren't permitted to have nude dancers — g-strings and pasties are required to be worn — if they serve liquor, authorities told the Associated Press.

Utah Highway Patrol officers issued the citation against Brewvies in early September after a complaint was filed with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

On Thursday, Utah liquor-control commissioners approved the fine against Brewvies, which was $400 more than the penalty levied against a restaurant cited for serving alcohol to a minor, according to reports.

I’m struggling with the concept that an adult beverage may be served but an adult movie cannot be shown at the same time, said newly appointed commissioner Constance White.

Assistant Attorney General Sheila Page acknowledged that alcohol-free theaters also showed the film, which opened in Salt Lake County over the Memorial Day weekend.