Buzz builds for "Sex and the City 2"

Mark Mulcahy, VP of marketing for Gold Class, described the bow as a "perfect storm" for upscale exhibs, some of which will serve "Sex"-themed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres during the film. Mulcahy said Gold Class, with six locations nationwide, has already sold approximately 1,500 of its "SATC 2" cocktails, including a Flirtini drink, along with more traditional Cosmopolitan and Manhattan offerings.

"It's the exact place where you can picture Samantha and Carrie going to see the film," Mulcahy said. "Having a Cosmo while you watch the film or having a Chinois chicken salad roll just adds to that experience."

Likewise, Arclight is offering party packages for moviegoers 21 and over, which includes two drink coupons and unlimited appetizers. Exhib plans to extend the offer through May 30, while some advanced tickets for Gold Class are already reserved through the film's second weekend.

The first "Sex" installment opened with $57 million the week after Memorial Day weekend in 2008 for a domestic cume of $152.6 million. Most insiders expect the sequel to outpace its predecessor given the longer weekend and increasing anticipation among femmes.

According to online ticketing service Fandango, "SATC 2" is slightly ahead of the first film in advanced ticket sales during a comparable sales cycle. "SATC 2" repped the top-selling title for the company Wednesday, with 37% of its total sales.