More barroom change? New bill could legalize happy hours in North Carolina.
Some state legislators are hopeful that happy hours may soon be legal in North Carolina.
Rep. Jason Saine, R-Lincoln, is the lead sponsor of a House bill filed Monday that would allow North Carolina bars and restaurants to offer discounted prices on drinks and buy-one-get-one deals.
North Carolina’s Alcoholic Beverage Control commission and local ABC boards control the sale of spirits to both individuals and businesses in North Carolina, issuing licenses to establishments serving beer, wine and liquor.
Recently state legislators have loosened some rules for businesses licensed to sell liquor in this state.
Last year, one bill repealed the definition for private bars — a post-Prohibition concept that required patrons to pay membership fees to attend bars that served alcoholic beverages but no food.
In 2021, a different bill introduced social districts — outdoor areas where people can legally drink alcoholic beverages.
Changes may now be ahead for happy hours.
“We are, I think, in some respects terribly behind,” Saine said. “We get an influx of people from other states who have seen things like happy hours, and this and the membership thing seems very foreign to them.”
The North Carolina Bar Owners Association thanked Saine and other bill sponsors in a tweet Monday.
Hi-Wire Brewing, which has six North Carolina locations in Asheville, Durham, Charlotte and Wilmington, already offers $3 pints all day on Mondays. Sanctioning happy hours could allow them to be more creative with their deals, said Matt Houston, Hi-Wire’s assistant manager in Charlotte.
“If I went to an establishment that was doing $3 beers from five to seven every day, I definitely would be more apt to come out and have a beer after I got off work,” Houston said.
Saine said he is hopeful newer members of the General Assembly will help pass the bill.
“It takes time,” he said. “But I think our time has come.”
Lars Dolder contributed to this report.
This story was originally published February 13, 2023 at 7:04 PM.
