Some local legislators say there’s a fun problem in Massachusetts, and they think brining back happy hour and keeping later last calls could fix it.
But not everyone agrees that there’s a problem. House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy), for one, says “I’ve never had a problem finding it.”
The Senate is leaning into the success of the World Cup in the state, saying that if the law allows for later last calls year round, or even gives cities and towns the option to allow “happy hour,” it could keep the tourism momentum going.
House leadership, however, isn’t smiling and nodding.
“We haven’t taken a poll. I haven’t talked to a lot of people to see if they’ve hit their fun quota every night. I can think of a few people who hit their fun quota every night,” said Mariano.
Rep. Sam Montano of Jamaica Plain has introduced similar legislation to extend closing times at bars in the past. But when asked about this latest push, they told GBH News they weren’t going to force the issue if other House members don’t agree.
“Would happy hour and later last call be great? Yes, of course. Am I going to put any political capital into getting these through a body that mostly is of an age that remembers when they repealed happy hour when my constituents can’t afford health insurance and their rent? No,” they said.
The legislature banned happy hour in 1984 in an effort to address drunk driving in the state.
Ways and Means committee chair Aaron Michlewitz represents the North End, and he says the restaurants in his district don’t want happy hour.
“Many restaurants I’ve talked to — and I obviously represent a district that has a lot of them — they feel it’s a race to the bottom in the terms of that discussion,” said Michlewitz. “That is why we have had opposition in the past.”
The House promises to look at it earnestly, but Speaker Mariano doesn’t believe it will have the votes.
The Massachusetts Restaurant Association supports keeping later last call times available saying in a statement, “Massachusetts remains a world-class destination, and the success of expanded service hours and social districts has shown the economic benefits of modernized hospitality policies. These initiatives should continue. Restaurants drive jobs, tourism, and economic growth, and we remain committed to working with the Legislature to support the businesses, workers, and communities that power our industry.”
The “fun agenda” in the Senate consists of 10 amendments on a bill that has 595 total amendments that focus on things like housing, taxes, and artificial intelligence. If it’s passed, it will head to the House for discussion.
