Bars and restaurants can now advertise their happy hour prices, a restriction that’s long plagued the industry.
The A-frame sign outside Pork Barrel Barbecue in Alexandria proudly announces a list of happy-hour specials — $3 rail liquor, $4 craft beer and $4 house wines. Last month, this sign would have been illegal.
“As of Monday, this is now a legal advertisement," says Bill Blackburn, owner of Pork Barrel Barbecue. He says that old law outlawing happy hour ads was outdated and ill-conceived. “This doesn’t protect society from the evils of alcohol. People are not drinking more because they are more informed about where they can get good deals.”
The new law was one of the accomplishments of this year’s General Assembly session, when House Democratic Leader Eileen Filler-Corn explained that the bill makes life easier for inspectors and for restaurants.
"By allowing them to creatively advertise in ways that are restricted by the current code providing they do not induce overconsumption or consumption by minors,” said Filler-Corn.
Restaurants can now let people know about specials on social media, on the radio, in newspaper ads and even on A-frame signs like the one here in Alexandria — all things that were illegal last month.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
