Happy Hour Is Back Illinois! – Effective Immediately

Posted on by Stacy D. Fulco by

drinks-are-served-985481-mYou may not have realized this, but since 1989 Happy Hour has been illegal in Illinois.  This means that bars and restaurants have been able to offer drink specials, but the specials had to last all day, not just a few hours of the day.  Thanks to The Culinary and Hospitality Modernization Act, Happy Hour is back, effective immediately!

Here are a few things you should know about the new liquor laws in Illinois:

  • The direct prohibition of happy hour was repealed so licensees may now sell alcoholic beverages at a reduced price for a certain period of time.
  • No licensee may sell more than one drink of alcohol for the price of one drink – in other words, no by one / get one.
  • Licensees cannot sell an unlimited number of alcoholic drinks during any set period of time for a fixed price.
  • Licensees cannot increase the volume of alcohol contained in a drink, or the size of the alcoholic drink, without increasing proportionately the price of the drink.
  • Licensees cannot encourage or permit any game/contest which involves drinking alcohol or awarding alcoholic drinks as prizes for a game/contest.
  • Alcohol servers are required to obtain and complete training in basic responsible alcohol services within a certain period of time after being hired. The specific requirements of this training depend on the population size of the county, but now apply statewide.Infusions are allowed but there is a list of requirements such as it must be mixed and stored on the premises, it must be stored in a container with a lid, it cannot be aged for more than 14 days, it must be used or destroyed within 21 days and the storage container must be labeled.
  • Certain locations within or adjacent to a hotel are considered part of the hotel’s licensed premises if those locations are owned and managed by the hotel operator and those locations may be maintained and managed pursuant to a single retailer’s license issued by the State Commission.
  • The law has specific provisions regarding meal packages, party packages and entertainment packages.
  • And last but not least – (also a favorite for those of us who shop early on Sunday mornings) — Alcohol can now be purchased on Sunday mornings. The law repeals the provision that prohibited alcohol sales before noon.

Cheers!