Formatting mySQL Time Field with PHP?

I have a PHP program that pulls from a mySQL database.  There is a Time field, which is automatically stores the data in a HH:MM:SS format.  However, I want to drop the seconds, so I display the information only in a HH:MM format.

I tried using the date() format function, with the time from the database placed in as the variable - but it came off as an incorrect time, and I'm not sure why.  So then I started thinking I could just remove the last three characters - the last :00 .  But I am having troubles figuring out how to do this.

So how do I do this?  I'd prefer learning about how to ge the date() function to work with a time field, since that will give me more flexibility in the long run.  However, learning how to trim off the last three characters would also be useful.

Thanks!