Bloomington restaurants, bars welcome back happy hour after 39 years

On July 1, Hoosier bars and restaurants began offering something missing from the state's beverage scene for 39 years: Happy hour is back. On April 14, Gov. Eric Holcomb signed House Bill 1086, which allows restaurants and bars in Indiana to once again have and promote "happy hours" by offering alcoholic beverages for a discounted price during certain hours each week.

Jeff Wuslich, with Bloomington's craft distillery Cardinal Spirits, welcomes the change.

"For restaurants and bar owners, it's been tough coming back from COVID and this is one tool we didn't have in our box," he said recently.

While restaurants and bars haven't had happy hours, they have been able to offer all-day specials, such as half-off pints on Tuesdays. But that didn't help bring in customers during slower times of the day.

"It's exciting to have (happy hour) back," Wuslich said. "When you're a server and a portion of your salary comes from tips and you spend hours not making a lot of money, that hurts. This will help."

Happy hours were banned in 1985, a time when the U.S. was trying to "sober up." State and federal lawmakers took action by banning happy hours and TV commercials marketing beer and wine. The regulations came at a time when more lawsuits were being brought against people and businesses that served alcoholic drinks to people who then were in accidents. The aim was to decrease the number of drunken drivers.

But times have changed. Wuslich said people from other states visiting Cardinal Spirits often ask why there isn't a happy hour.

"They are always surprised that it's missing from Indiana's vibrant dining scene," he said. With plenty of people visiting for Indiana University athletic events and other festivals, "deals" have the potential to bring in more business, Wuslich said.

"Every time I tell people about happy hour, they are so excited," he said.

As of last week, Wuslich said Cardinal Spirits hadn't determined exactly when it will have its happy hour, but it will be part of the weekly lineup.

He's also happy restaurants that sell Cardinal Spirits products will be able to try new tactics to bring in more customers and revenue. "Going out is seen as more of a luxury anymore and this is going to be a way to go out and still save some money."

Cocktails, alcohol to go part of the bill as well

House Bill 1086 also allows retail bars and restaurants to prepare, sell and deliver alcoholic beverages for carry-out to customers. Cardinal Spirits has been offering cocktail kits for some time by selling bottles of spirits and mixers separately. Now the complete cocktail can be sold to go, Wuslich said.

Cardinal Spirits also offers cocktail classes. Wuslich said when the changes allowed in the new law are mentioned, there's excitement in the room. "Now you can think about picking up food and having cocktails at home or out on a boat."

Bloomington restaurants, bars begin offering happy hour specials

While many restaurants and bars are still deciding exactly what they will offer and when, a couple shared their plans.

FARMbloomington will have happy hour 3-5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, both on the outside patio and indoors. Food and beverages will be served all afternoon, according to Chef Daniel Orr. He encourages patrons to plan a late lunch and cocktails or last meeting of the day at the restaurant at 108 E. Kirkwood Ave. FARM will offer $1 off all draft beers and $1 off all classic cocktails. Wines by the bottle will be available for take-away.

Heartwork Brewing, one of Bloomington's newest breweries, will have $5 full pours of anything on the menu for the first two hours it is open throughout July. That means happy hour will be 4-6 p.m. Monday, 3-5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 2-4 p.m. Friday and noon to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Heartwork Brewing is at 1703 N. College Ave.

The Tap will offer happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday with special pricing for snacks, beers and flights.

Contact Carol Kugler atckugler@heraldt.com