Happy hours could be longer with more specials. How PA bill could change after-work drinks

Happy hour could get a little happier thanks to a state bill which would allow Pennsylvania bar owners to expand their hours.

House Bill 829, which was introduced last year and provides several amendments to the Pennsylvania Liquor Code, passed Tuesday in the State Senate with a 47-3 vote.

Led by efforts of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, several parts of the bill sought to update regulations to provide bar owners the opportunity to increase happy hours, create discounted combo meals with adult beverages and include the price of two drinks in any self-sponsored event an establishment is hosting.

The organization’s goal was “to address older regulations that limited opportunities for the state’s bars, taverns, and licensed restaurants to creatively market their businesses,” said Chuck Moran, Executive Director of PaTaverns in a press release.

What will the change mean for happy hour in PA bars?

According to the liquor code, happy hour — a specified time during which an establishment can discount the price of alcoholic beverages — is limited to four hours per day and up to 14 hours per week.

The bill, if signed into law, increases the weekly limit to 24 hours per week.

New bar opens in Doylestown: Doylestown bar opens for Memorial Day weekend, focus on cocktails, tequila, small bites

It will also allow for happy hour to include discounted food and drink combos, limited to no more than two combos per day. Currently, combo meals are not allowed to include alcoholic beverages.

In addition, licensed establishments hosting a self-sponsored event will be allowed to include up to two alcoholic beverages with the price of the ticket.

Pennsylvania bill also addresses outdoor dining

The bill addresses several other amendments to the liquor code, including a provision allowing for the temporary extension of a liquor license to outdoor dining areas within 1,000 feet of a licensed building — an allowance granted during the pandemic that was set to expire at the end of this year.

What happens now that the bill has passed the PA Senate?

Bill 829 passed the House last May with a 199-2 vote, and now that is has cleared the Senate, it heads off next to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk for the bill to be signed into law.

Dining in Bristol Borough: Drift on Mill now open in downtown Bristol Borough. What to know before you go

Reporter Michele Haddon covers local news, small business, economic development, community revitalization, art and culture for The Intelligencer and Bucks County Courier Times at PhillyBurbs.com. Please considering supporting local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Happy hours could be longer with more specials. How PA bill could change after-work drinks