INDIANAPOLIS – It’s 5 o’clock somewhere — and in Indiana, bars and restaurants could soon offer customers “happy hour” drink deals under legislation that also authorizes alcohol carry-out orders.
Abbi Raben, representing the Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association, said House Bill 1086 would allow retailers to boost traffic during slow hours “while also ensuring that it’s done responsibly.”
The bill would allow retailers to reduce drink prices for up to four hours a day, but less than 15 hours a week. Happy hours wouldn’t be allowed between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m.
Retailers also would be banned from serving bottomless drinks and from allowing games or contests determined by how much alcohol a customer consumes.
But not everyone was happy.
Lisa Hutcheson of Mental Health America of Indiana said drink specials are correlated with heavier alcohol consumption and could negatively impact people struggling with substance use disorder. She also suggested the change could increase alcohol-related crimes.
The bill would also legalize carry-out alcohol.
Retailers would have to put the beverages in containers of less than four quarts that bartenders and restaurant staff can seal. The bags would have to show when they’ve been tampered with and be labeled as containing alcohol.
But Rep. Matt Lehman, R-Berne, said the bill’s language could allow retailers to pour half-drunk cocktails in to-go containers. “I think we’ve got to be careful,” he said.
The bill lastly requires retailers to purchase liquor liability insurance or an endorsement with coverage of at least $500,000 to obtain or renew a retailer’s permit.
The committee voted to move the bill 12-1, with Lehman voting against it.
View the entire Indiana Capital Chronicle story here.
