A bill to expand the special deals that bars and restaurants can offer to their customers has some local pub owners feeling pretty happy.
House Bill 829 was introduced in the state Legislature last year to amend the Pennsylvania Liquor Code. The bill, which was advocated by the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, also passed earlier this month in the state Senate.
The bill’s prime sponsor was Matthew Gergely, a Democrat serving Legislative District 35 in Allegheny County.
The legislation includes provisions increasing the number of happy hour specials a bar can offer, as well as the ability to offer discounted combo meals with alcoholic drinks and include the price of two drinks in self-sponsored events.
Currently, the law only allows an establishment to offer discounted “happy hour” drinks for a maximum of four hours a day or up to 14 hours per week. The amendment increases that weekly limit to 24 hours. Combo meals, which currently may not include alcohol, would also have that restriction removed.
Another measure in the bill would allow the temporary extension of liquor licenses to outdoor dining areas within 1,000 feet of a licensed establishment. That allowance, which was first allowed during the pandemic, was set to expire at the end of 2024.
The bill passed the state House last year 199-2 and the Senate this month 47-3. It now goes to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk for consideration.
Several local establishments that were contacted for this article did not respond to a request for comment. However, those that did were enthusiastic about the bill.
“I feel this would be a win for us if the bill passes,” said Makara “Mak” Mam, owner of the Union Beer House at 2631 W. Cumberland St., Lebanon.
Read More: Union Beer House now open in former Country Cupboard; will expand offerings
“Longer happy hours will definitely bring in more customers. Particularly for those who like happy hour deals, they won’t have to rush in,” Mam said. “If the law passes, we’ll definitely expand happy hour. It would be great if we could make a combo meal with adult beverages. But let’s see what happens next, we’ll be paying attention!”
Mick Owens, president of Mick’s All American Pub at 105 Springwood Drive, Lebanon, as well as other locations in the area, also said the legislation, if passed, would be a “huge” win for restaurants.
Read More: Mick’s All American Pub opens in North Cornwall Commons
“The outside dining becoming permanent is obviously good for those that gained the extra seating,” he said. “The additional happy hour flexibility will be great.”
Owens said most restaurants have been “locked” into happy hour schedules that were “established decades ago” – often 4 to 6 p.m. on the weekdays and something on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. “The only other special we could do was one specific brand (Coors Light draft, Captain Morgan, etc.) as an all day, or any portion of the day, as a special,” he said, “which really limited doing fun and beneficial specials for our customers.
“Now we can keep our established happy hours that customers have gotten used to but also add a late night happy hour to motivate people to stay out a little later or even a happy hour for every Eagles or Phillies game. It will give operators a new tool to connect with their customer base.”
“Definitely a win for restaurants!” agreed Mark R Arnold IV, owner of the Gin Mill Restaurant & Tavern, 324 E. Cumberland St., Lebanon. “Will definitely (affect) the offerings we have which will be better for the customers. It will definitely improve business for us.
“With prices as high as they are these days, our customers will get the most out of this bill!”
Read More: Lebanon’s once plentiful neighborhood bars
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