State Rep Pushing to End Happy Hour Ban in Massachusetts
Is now the time that “Happy Hour” finally makes a return to Massachusetts? One lawmaker is making a legislative push to consider the change.
A new MassINC poll shows residents are ready for “Happy Hour” to make a comeback. 70% of people in the state voted to bring back “discounted after-work drinks” at bars and restaurants. State Rep. Mike Connolly added a provision to a larger piece of legislation that includes long-term support for restaurants following the COVID-19 pandemic, according to WCVB. The provision would not legalize happy hour, but it would stakeholders together to revisit the current ban that has been in place since 1984.
“That’s certainly a very strong signal that there is some interest in this and, of course, we want to help our restaurants and bars,” stated Connolly, who represents the 26th Middlesex District.
Back in 2015, Gov. Charlie Baker that he has no problem with the current ban on Happy Hour and he repeated that Thursday. The final language of the bill that includes Connolly’s provision has not been published yet, but should be released in the coming days.
A new @MassINC poll shows that 70% of Massachusetts residents support allowing bars and restaurants to offer discounted after-work drinks. This session, I’ve filed new legislation that will bring stakeholders together to revisit the state’s ban on Happy Hour, in place since 1984. pic.twitter.com/s2ZE44GVIp
— Mike Connolly (@MikeConnollyMA) July 21, 2021
