If you were in Boston last June when the Celtics won their 18th NBA title, you might have attended the bustling, celebratory parade that came three days later. However, amongst the city-wide festivities, even Jayson Tatum himself would not have been able to find a half-off drink special at any bar in the city.
That’s because the state of Massachusetts has had a ban on happy hour and other promotions involving alcohol since 1984. But this year, that might change after the Massachusetts Senate in July approved an amendment that would do away with the ban.
Advocates for happy hour contend that by legalizing promotional deals on alcohol, Massachusetts will reinvigorate commerce, nightlife and encourage the “after-work crowd” to go out and socialize.
Before the amendment can go into effect, it must be passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives, which is the state’s historically more conservative legislative body, and be signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey.
While Massachusetts has had a ban on happy hour for 40 years, many patrons and restaurant workers believe that Massachusetts is long overdue for a change that could revamp local nightlife post-pandemic.
Quyen Bui, a 23-year-old Boston resident and club promoter, said she feels “very negatively” about the ban.
“We have to go to New Hampshire if we want something like bottomless mimosas,” she said.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over the last year, consumer prices in the Boston area rose about 3.5%, as opposed to a 2.9% increase nationally. For many Boston residents, the lack of a happy hour is just another negative aspect of rising prices, making the city increasingly inaccessible for young adults.
Another Boston resident, Rachel Donovan, 28, explained that while she does not often go out for drinks, she is not a proponent of the ban.
“I would probably not participate in happy hour anyway,” she said. “But I don’t think the ban makes sense.”
High prices are not only impacting college students and young professionals, but older residents too, like 88-year-old Ralph Dapolito.
“I used to come here and enjoy this area, but now everything is too expensive,” he said, sitting just outside of the Old State House, downtown.
Legislators and activists who have proposed removal of the ban argue bringing back happy hour has the potential to lessen the burning hole in Boston residents’ pockets, stimulate the local economy and bring back a sense of community.
Syd Williams, bartender and manager at Bell in Hand, a local tavern self-proclaimed as the oldest in America, explained that historic bars survive off tourism rather than local business.
“Having a ban on happy hour hurts our local business,” she said. “We’ll have consistent tourism no matter what, but we don’t have a massive five o’clock, after-work rush.”
While historic bars like Bell in Hand may always have business in the form of tourism, lesser-known bars may suffer from declining local clientele.
“I don’t think the ban is necessary,” Williams said. “As a consumer, I’m not a fan of it. I think that it’s outdated.”
However, despite strong support from consumers, some have raised concerns regarding issues like drunk driving and other public safety hazards spurred from excess consumption of alcohol.
The ban was initially enacted in 1984 in response to a horrific car accident that caused the death of a 20 year-old woman in Braintree. Kathleen Barry was run over by her friend who drank in excess after winning free alcohol during a bar contest.
In a 2023 report from the United Health Foundation, Massachusetts had a higher-than-average rate of binge drinking compared to other states. According to the report, 19.1% of adults reported binge drinking or heavy drinking.
Conversely, Williams said that the responsibility is not on the state to limit alcohol consumption, but rather on bars and restaurants.
“It’s the state’s job to be responsible with licensing. From there, it’s on the bar,” she said.
Williams said that it is a common procedure to cut off patrons at Bell in Hand to protect their safety and the tavern’s liquor license.
“Our staff is trained to cut people off. … It’s our responsibility to protect our licensing and get people out at a safe level,” she said. “If someone were to overconsume and walk out and something happened to them, we’re responsible.”
Williams said she believes bringing back happy hour would benefit consumers without further endangering them.
“I’m not concerned about overconsumption during happy hour because we gauge 24/7. It’s our job 24/7 to make sure that we’re not being irresponsible with serving,” she said. “I don’t think it would be any different.”
Many young Bostonians feel very passionately about the subject, arguing that Boston’s nightlife is far too strict for its own good.
“I wouldn’t just vote, I would rally up all my friends. We would show up anywhere and vote for this to be removed,” Bui said.
Post-pandemic, Boston has made efforts to revive downtown commerce and improve tourism and affordability. For advocates of happy hour, removing the ban would be yet another step in making Boston a more affordable, community-driven city.
