THE NATION - Cinemas start catering to 21-and-older crowd - Theaters are embracing a no-children-allowed policy, permitting adults valet service, martinis -- and peace and quiet.

The couple shared a knowing smile as they walked by a woman shushing a toddler wailing for "popcorn, popcorn, popcorn," and a young boy flinging himself at the candy display case.

The Holmans took an escalator to movie-theater nirvana: a section of seats for adults only. Up here, in the theater's 21-and-older section, no children are allowed.

"This is a little bit of heaven," said Tricia Holman, who works for a technology firm and lives in the Chicago suburb of Evanston, Ill. For a $15 ticket on a weekend evening, she said, it's "just me, my husband and the big screen. And no teenagers."

In an attempt to entice grown-ups back to the nation's movie theaters, Florida-based Muvico opened the luxury Rosemont 18 in this Chicago suburb just east of O'Hare International Airport. The theater has a clear goal: to cater to those weary of watching films accompanied by a soundtrack of fussy babies and gossiping teens.

One screen is entirely dedicated to customers old enough to buy a cocktail. Five other screens have all-ages seats on the ground level -- and separate, adults-only balconies reached through the bar inside the theater. Customers can lounge on love seats, eat gourmet concessions such as filet-mignon mini-burgers and sip alcoholic drinks during the movie.

About 520 of the theater's 4,000 seats have been permanently assigned to this "VIP" area for adults.

And for the children? There's a supervised day-care center for 3- to 10-year-olds.

Muvico officials say they rely heavily on families and teenagers, who account for much of the repeat business that keeps the overall industry afloat.

Yet "there's a growing number of people who don't want kids kicking their feet into their chair," said Michael F. Whalen Jr., the company's president and chief executive. "Adults have the right to enjoy a movie in peace."

Other theater chains have begun to offer bars and gourmet goodies to attract older moviegoers, and have set aside certain theaters and showings for adults.

In Los Angeles, Pacific Theatres' ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood has offered one auditorium for a 21-and-older audience since 2004. But the age restrictions aren't constant: IDs are checked for screenings only on weekends after 6 p.m.