Some of the last remnants of the Prohibition era could be disappearing in New York state. Time Warner Cable News reporter Tara Grimes explains why a change to the state’s “blue laws” is creating happiness among Sunday brunch goers.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Step inside The Revelry on University Avenue around brunch time and bar manager Zack Mikida says you’ll find yourself among the masses.
“People love brunch,” Mikida said. “It’s the last day before they have to go back to the work week. It’s a little bit earlier. They can drink a little bit before the sun sets and they don’t have to feel bad about it.”
However, some guests and businesses always felt there was a bit of a downfall on Sundays. New York’s 80-year-old Alcoholic Beverage Control Law said no alcohol sales could be made before noon.
“Even just at 11:59 getting ready to serve that’s a no-no,” Mikida said. “The SLA could shut you down.”
Now, new legislation is amending that. Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders announced they reached an agreement to modernize the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. Once signed into law, restaurants, bars and stadiums will be able to begin selling alcohol at 10 a.m.
Besides putting more cash in the register, Mikida said it will relieve pressure on bartenders by cutting down on drink orders right at noon and it help service flow.
“As soon as somebody walks through the door, they can be greeted by a bartender and have a beverage before they even go sit at the table,” Mikida said. “It’s going to alleviate a lot for the service staff, ticket times are going to go down.”
In addition, the law will also allow upstate bars and restaurants 12 permits a year to serve alcohol beginning at 8 a.m. Mikida said this move would greatly benefit sports bars.
“You think about the World Cup, you think about Bills games, whatever it may be. I think with that allowance there is some fun possibilities within that,” Mikida said.
Mikida isn’t the only one rooting for the new law. Guests are also saying “cheers.”
“I’m all about the brunching,” Rochester resident Adriel Rosario said. “It does mean a lot. It gets a lot of people out earlier on Sunday’s instead of having to wait until 12 o’clock. I’m an earlier guy.”
The law will also allow wineries to sell wine in growlers and allow customers to take home partially finished bottles of wine. It will eliminate burdensome paperwork requirements and fees for craft manufacturers and other manufacturers. It will reduce fees for small wholesalers and will allow liquor stores to sell gift wrapping and gift bags.
The law will go into effect 60 days after the bill is signed.