Pa. Happy Hour Laws Could Be Shaken And Stirred

HARRISBURG (CBS) - A bill that would give taverns and restaurants more flexibility in how they use their happy hours is advancing in the Pennsylvania legislature.

Currently, state law limits happy hour to two hours a day. Last week, a state House committee  approved a bill that would maintain the 14-hour-a-week limit but would allow bars and restaurants more flexibility in scheduling those hours as they choose.

Pat Conway, head of the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association, says that's great but he's more excited about a provision that would allow restaurants to sell customers up to three unopened bottles of wine to take home.

"People will be out enjoying a dinner. They may try a new wine with the dinner and really enjoy that. But they're not today able to purchase that from that licensed establishment," Conway said. "Under this bill, they would be able to do that."

Conway notes that bottle of wine has already been purchased by the restaurant from the state, so there's no loss there. The measure would also allow establishments to sell alcohol at events they cater.

Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio