Catching a concert or show at a small theater in New Jersey? You may soon be able to buy booze to sip while you watch.

The state Senate on Monday passed a bipartisan bill that would allow some theaters with 50 seats or more in the Garden State to apply for licenses to serve alcohol.

Currently, only theaters with at least 1,000 seats are eligible for licenses in the state.

The measure (A1478) would apply only to non-profit theaters that regularly host “musical or theatrical performances or concerts.”

The Senate passed the bill 39-1 at the Statehouse in Trenton. The state Assembly will consider the measure next. The Assembly passed an earlier version of the bill this year, but it must vote again because the legislation has been amended.

If the Assembly passes the measure again, it would up to Gov. Phil Murphy to decide whether to sign it into law or veto it.

The goal, state Senate Minority Leader Tom Kean Jr. said, is to “encourage more New Jerseyans to go their local theater where they can grab a drink, sit back, and enjoy the show.”

And that, Kean added, will give small theaters "an untapped revenue stream to support plays and performances."

“This will increase foot traffic and ticket sales, and bolster non-profit theater’s bottom lines across the Garden State,” said Kean, R-Union, a sponsor of the bill.

Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.