Proposed Law Could Bring Drink Specials Back
After a 40-year absence, happy hour drink specials may return to Massachusetts bars and restaurants.
The Massachusetts Senate passed a bill last week that would give cities and towns the right to decide whether restaurants and bars can offer two-for-one drinks and other similar specials during certain hours.
If approved, the amendment would allow:
- Individual municipalities would each need to vote to approve happy hours.
- Proprietors would need to announce a happy hour promotion at least three days in advance, and the discounts would have to end by 10pm.
- The state would support places that legalize happy hour by forming a new advisory group with expertise on intoxicated driving, alcohol licensing and public safety.
There is support to bring back happy hours. A MassINC poll from 2021 showed that 70% of state residents are in favor of overturning the ban on happy hours. However, recent proposals have failed and an effort to repeal the ban did not get enough signatures to make the 2022 ballot.
The History of the Happy Hour Ban in Massachusetts
Massachusetts became the first state in the country to implement a law prohibiting time-limited drink specials, free drinks, delivering more than two drinks to a person at one time or offering unlimited drinks for a fixed price during a set time (i.e., “bottomless dinner”). Venues also cannot deliver a pitcher of alcohol to one person or host games awarding drinks as prizes.
The ban went into effect in November 1984 following the death of a 20-year-old woman in a restaurant parking lot. She was dragged under a car driven by a friend under the influence of alcohol after leaving a trivia game that awarded free beer to the winner.