Is happy hour coming back to the Bay State?
The 28-year-old “happy hour law”, now banning bars and restaurants from pouring free, discounted or two-for-one alcoholic beverages in area restaurants may be updated so restaurants can compete with casinos that may one day be in the state.
As part of the ban, cities and towns now rule that a beverage must be priced the same for each calendar week and two drinks can only be served per person at a restaurant. In addition, pitchers of alcohol can only be served to two or more people, according to the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
The ABCC will hold a hearing in Boston on Aug. 21. Four other hearings will be held throughout the state to gain public feedback.
According to an article in the Boston Herald, the casino bill passed last year requires the ABCC to complete a study by Jan. 31 of whether the happy hour law should be updated or amended.
The happy hour law was enacted in part to prevent intoxicated people from being over-served and driving under the influence, the Herald article said.
But what do you think? Should happy hour come back to Massachusetts?
Jimmy Donnelly
11:09 am on Friday, August 17, 2012
NO! Happy Hour is not needed.
The Hibernia does the opposite. They price their drinks so high and their beers are so warm that no one drinks.
Todd Arnold
4:56 pm on Friday, August 17, 2012
Although it's after the fact at times.....the establishment that pours the drink is held responsible for serving it's customers. Why would they risk having their license to serve revoked by over serving someone in a 2 hour period of time? Odds are....even if it does pass...it won't be utilized as a marketing ploy...not in this day in age
Joe Calabro
3:49 am on Saturday, August 18, 2012
bring it back, it's good for our wallets in a bad economy.
Bob Blaha
7:26 am on Saturday, August 18, 2012
Many establishments still have a Happy Hour (or two). The drinks are full price but the appetizers are half price. Really great deal and some very good food. No need to change the law.
Carol Siegel
6:11 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
Public safety should always trump financial gain. I am glad it was eliminated. I was especially glad when I was driving my kids around at that hour to and from dance and sports. It isn't just working adults on the road at the happy hour. That's when the traffic everywhere is the worst. Why would we allow anyone to encourage extra drinking at the most congested time of the day? If the casinos are allowed to have happy hour, then maybe we should discourage casinos in this state.
marie spillane
7:48 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
No to happy hours! There are enough drunk driving accidents as it is. We can't protect our police officers and state troopers as it is. We don't need more excuses to have people drink more alcohol.
Brian Mc.
10:07 pm on Saturday, August 18, 2012
Happy hour will only encourage more drinking in a shorter span of time. I don't support the Casino's ability to offer free or discount drinks. I agree it will hurt the bars and restaurants near a casino that will not have the same rights as the casino.
Roseanne
3:01 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
No need to bring it back. We've gone 28 years without it. No one needs to load up on booze, and then drive home.
Avon Barksdale
5:13 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
What happened to all the people who were over on the pie thread complaining about loss of personal freedom? Let these business owners sell alcohol on the free market, remove the shackles and let there be happy hour, happy day, happy week.
Jane Street
6:39 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
Avon- Thank you for your comments! I am watching for jicama in my pies!
Bill Gouveia
6:55 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
If a person uses their EBT card to buy healthy food, then spends a bit of their cash on buying a pie for dessert, the same people that are complaining about them using the EBT card would be complaining that if they have the money for pie, their benefits should be cut. This isn't about the money - it's about people having their sensibilities offended. For crying out loud, it's a pie - not a Corvette. If some poor person decides to treat their kids to a pie one night, we should not be judging them as somehow unworthy. I'm much more offended by tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans than I am by the possibility some poor person might have the unmitigated gall to buy a pie. Though I'm sure someone has already figured that if we just eliminate the pies, be can balance the budget. Geesh...
Fiscal Conservative
3:42 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Have you ever thought---Tax laws are written by and for the wealthy (Congress passes the laws and the majority are millionaires, those that aren't are still in the 1%). Do you really think that those who create and pass tax laws are willing to pay more? Just look at MA legislators, how many paid the VOLUNTARY increase in State Income Tax? I'll answer it for you. 0...that's Z-E-R-O!!!!
You want REAL tax reform? Vote every member of Congress out of office,.Then, and only then will you have a Gov't "of the people, by the people, for the people". Keep them in office, blame yourself for all that happens.Nuf said.
Jane Street
7:20 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
Good comment Bill. It must have humiliated that person who tried to buy a pie with an EBT; the farmer market says its OK to use EBT cards, and then whoever is buying the pie is refused. Which is basically the point I guess. You people who are poor aren't entitled to pies. Is being poor a character flaw or bad luck? What kind of world do we want to live in? Should the pie lady refuse to sell to fat people? Then I would be humilated...
Andrew
9:52 pm on Sunday, August 19, 2012
Go to BJ's if you ever want to learn what's really going on. Stand by the check-out counter, it's enough to make you puke. I buy chicken on the bone because that's what I can afford, the EBT'er buys filet. I get frozen fish bags, they get Legal Seafood shrimp bags. They're talking on their state provided (my tax money at work) cell phones, I can't afford one. They pack all their freebies into a newer car than I drive. I'M SICK AND TIRED OF WORKING FOR THESE DEAD BEATS. REFORM IS NEEDED NOW.
And get rid of the nauseating Obama messages on the Patch.
Todd Arnold
12:59 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
....and what does the last few comments have to do with the topic at hand....."Bringing back Happy Hour?" Wrong thread guys....
Jane Street
8:04 am on Monday, August 20, 2012
We all agree that our nanny state should ban happy hour. AMEN. But no fun in that.
Bruce Promisel
12:30 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Happy Hour should not be brought back and casinos in this state should not be provided any ability to give half price drinks or free drinks. Too many stories about drunk drivers hurting or killing people.
Jeff Sitter
12:31 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
once again its about personal responsibility. If you don't want the government trying to save you from yourself don't cross the line. There will always be a few knucklehead who can't control themselves but why should everyone have to loose out on happy hour because of them. Maybe we should hold people accountable for their behavior. There is a concept.
Avon Barksdale
1:14 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
My man you are right on the money. Because of other fools, I can't make cellphone calls while I'm driving and I can't wave my piece out the window when somebody stops on a rotary. The man gotta stop hatin' on me just cuz granny can't talk and drive.
Jeff Sitter
5:22 pm on Monday, August 20, 2012
Yep there is always a knucklehead. Thanks for proving my point.