BOSTON (WHDH) - Massachusetts state lawmakers are considering new cocktail laws, including one bill that would bring back happy hour nearly 40 years after the state banned it and another bill to make the temporary pandemic-era policy allowing “drinks-to-go” a permeant option in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts’ ban on happy hour came in 1984 after a string of deadly drunk-driving crashes. Now, new legislation, if passed, would let the state’s cities and towns vote to allow alcohol discounts during certain hours at bars and restaurants.
“It’s something that should have been done a long time ago,” said Michael Minchoff, a manager at the Harvard Gardens restaurant in Beacon Hill.
“If it’s up to each individual business and you have something you want to promote and try to get out there whether it’s a new food item or a new drink item, and here you have an opportunity to say ‘Come over and visit us during these times and try this out,’ yes, I do think it’s an advantage and it’s needed,” Minchoff continued.
Where some, such as Minchoff, support the move, some of those serving felt differently in conversations with 7NEWS on Wednesday.
“As a restaurant employee, it’s not really my preference,” said server Adelaide Sargent. “As a customer, I can see why it’s desirable.”
“People get drunk a lot quicker for less money, to be blunt — because I work on tips, commission essentially,” Sargent continued. “And they can’t last for the rest of the night.”
Among other measures being debated on Beacon Hill is the push to make to-go drinks permeant.
State Rep. Paul Frost from Auburn recently spoke on the topic, saying restaurants should be able to continue offering drinks-to-go.
“When they do take out alcohol, it tends to be, more often than not, mixed drinks — drinks that they’re not going to make at home,” Frost said.
“I think that it works and to my knowledge, in my area, I haven’t seen any problems with it,” Frost continued. “And I think it’s just time to let these restaurants know and these businesses know that it’s going to be permanent. We can do it here.”
On the topic of the proposed happy hour bill, the legislation’s main sponsors said it could help many bars and restaurants, many of which are struggling in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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