When you’re planning a night out at the movies, you might expect to splurge a little on popcorn or a choc top, but what you might not anticipate is the staggering cost of staying hydrated.
The price of a simple bottle of water caused quite a stir among moviegoers at the IMAX theatre in Darling Harbour, Sydney. The incident, which has sparked a wave of disbelief and frustration, came to light when an image of the menu pricing board at the IMAX theatre, owned by Event Cinemas, was shared on an online forum.
Patrons were shocked to see that a 750ml bottle of Pump water, a popular Coca-Cola product, was being sold for $7.90.
The post, which quickly gained traction, was captioned with a note of irony: ‘This is at IMAX in Darling Harbour, where you’ve just paid $40 to see a movie.’
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The post went on to describe how several customers would pick up a bottle, glance at the price, and then, seemingly in disbelief, put it back on the shelf. The candid observation highlighted the stark contrast between the cinema’s prices and the more reasonable $3.15 charged for the same bottle at supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths.
Social media users chimed in with their own experiences and opinions. Some expressed shock that the price wasn’t even higher, given the notorious mark-ups at sports stadiums and airports.
‘Per 100ml, the Mt Franklin is more expensive,’ wrote one commenter.
‘I’m surprised it hasn’t reached $10 by now, to be honest. Also, Darling Harbour would be a massive captive audience. It’s not like you can just walk down to a Coles or Woolies like you could if you were at a cinema in a shopping centre,’ remarked another.
‘That’s rookie numbers, try going to a music festival,’ quipped someone else.
Meanwhile, others shared their cost-saving strategies, such as drinking tap water from the bathrooms or sneaking snacks and drinks into the theatre in a backpack.
‘I just drink tap water these days, and I wear a backpack with a bottle of water in the side pocket… everywhere I go,’ commented one person.
‘Go outside to the McDonald’s and get yourself a 600ml Cool Ridge for $5.10. Still expensive, just not as much,’ suggested a different commenter.
‘I’ve been taking drinks and snacks in a backpack for years—do people honestly use the movie snack bars?’ said another.
The conversation also touched on the broader issue of how cinemas price their food and beverages. One commenter pointed out that the high cost of concessions is often how movie theatres make a significant portion of their profits.
Another user humorously compared the cost of bottled water to the price of petrol, noting the absurdity of water, which ‘falls from the sky,’ being nearly $10 per litre.
Amidst the uproar, a spokesperson from Event Cinemas responded to the shock about the price, stating, ‘We offer a range of options and promotions for those customers that wish to purchase food and beverage in our cinemas, including for our Cinebuzz members, who can also access a discount in person or when pre-ordering items online.’
At YourLifeChoices, we understand that every penny counts, and we encourage you, our readers, to share your tips and tricks for saving money at the movies.
Have you ever been shocked by the price of food and beverages at the cinema? Do you have any strategies for avoiding these costs? Join the conversation in the comments below and let us know how you make the most of your movie-going experience without breaking the bank.
Also read: ‘Dirty rip off’: Petrol station grocery price hike sparks outrage
