Cuomo: NY bars, restaurants will be allowed to sell alcohol earlier on Sundays
- Robert Harding robert.harding@lee.net
- Updated 5 hrs ago
- Auburn Public Citizen
Bars, restaurants and taverns in New York will no longer have to wait until noon on Sundays to sell alcoholic beverages.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state legislative leaders reached an agreement Tuesday on changes to the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. A major provision in the bill will allow licensed establishments to sell alcohol beginning at 10 a.m. on Sundays.
Licensed businesses outside of New York City also will have the opportunity to apply for up to 12 permits a year to sell alcoholic beverages beginning at 8 a.m. on Sundays.
The change to the state’s Blue Laws, which have been in place since 1934, was one of several recommendations made by a working group Cuomo asked to examine reforms to the state’s alcohol laws.
“We’ve worked hard to cut red tape, lower costs and roll back burdensome regulations to help New York’s craft beverage industry thrive and create jobs, as well as some of the best beer, wine, cider and distilled spirits in the world,” Cuomo said. “This agreement to overhaul this state’s archaic blue laws will build upon these ongoing efforts by knocking down artificial barriers for restaurants and small businesses and helping this industry grow even stronger.”
The agreement also merges craft manufacturing licenses into a single application, which proponents say will help eliminate paperwork requirements. Fees for craft beverage sales staff and wholesalers will be reduced, liquor stores will be allowed to sell gift bags and wrap to customers and wineries will be able to sell wine in growlers.
“There was broad consensus between the governor and Legislature that New York’s blue laws were outdated and in need of reform, specifically the provision which barred those enjoying brunch from purchasing an alcoholic beverage before noon on Sunday,” Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said.
New York has nearly 900 craft beverage producers, including 310 farm wineries, 145 microbreweries and 90 farm distilleries.
The state is also home to 120 farm breweries and 21 farm cideries.