Pennsylvania's new happy hour laws are now in effect. Here's what you need to know.
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Happy hour is officially happier in Pennsylvania.
Effective Sept. 13, new laws in the Keystone State allow bars and restaurants to extend the amount of time they can offer happy hours.
Under HB 829, which Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed in July 2024, the number of happy hours a bar can host per week has gone up from 14 to 24. The law also lets establishments with a liquor license offer food and drink combos, and allows them to include up to two drinks in the cost of a ticket for a self-sponsored event.
Following the bill's passage in the Pennsylvania Senate, Chuck Moran, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, said, "this part of HB 829 provides a new tool for bar owners to use within marketing efforts by combining food and adult drink combos at discount for patrons."
For Pennsylvanians who prefer to enjoy their cocktails and adult beverages at home, another law allowing ready-to-drink cocktails to be sold at places like gas stations, supermarkets and grocery stores goes into effect on Monday, Sept. 16.
If you're a business that sells alcohol, you can apply for a permit to start selling canned cocktails starting today!
— Governor Josh Shapiro (@GovernorShapiro) August 27, 2024
And on September 16th, you can get your favorite hard seltzers and canned cocktails at a grocery store or gas station near you.
We may be the only divided… https://t.co/vv57E7mHnA
Previously, spirits like vodka, gin and tequila could only be sold in Fine Wine and Good Spirits stores, which are controlled by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. The same went for cocktails containing those spirits.
Now, hotels, convenience stores and restaurants can apply for ready-to-drink cocktail permits to sell canned drinks like High Noon, Stateside and White Claw. The permitting process opened back on Aug. 27, though sales were barred until the law officially takes effect on Sept. 16.
"We may be the only divided legislature in the country — but we came together to deliver for Pennsylvanians," Gov. Shapiro said in a social media post about the legislation.