INDIANAPOLIS — It's all part of a bill that passed the General Assembly last session that Gov. Eric Holcomb signed into law in March. Now, it's time for it to be implemented.
The law received bipartisan support from lawmakers. Opponents worried it could contribute to more people developing substance abuse disorders and binge drinking.
Starting Monday, July 1, the law lifts a decades-old ban on bars offering happy hours to customers.
That's when Rob Strong, owner of the Whistle Stop Inn, and other bar owners across Indiana will be able to start offering drink specials during certain hours of the day.
"I think the idea is to get people in, not only to drink but to try food and everything as well," Strong explained.
Provision Restaurant on the north side offered its first happy hour specials on Monday from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The offer included $3 off draft beer, wine and cocktails.
“We are excited to see new people exposed to our brands so I think that’s one of the biggest things for us,” said Carissa Newton with Cunningham Restaurant Group.
Before the new law's passage, if bars wanted to offer customers a break on drinks, they had to offer those breaks all day.
"This gives us a chance to instead of running that special all day, just a couple hours a day to get people in and hopefully keep 'em here," Strong said.
Under the new law, bars can offer specials four hours a day, 15 hours a week, except between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.
Also, there are no two-for-one or bottomless drink specials.
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Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association has been working closely with businesses to make sure owners know all the guidelines.
“In the last week we have seen lots of restaurants from all corners of the state promoting happy hour. Every restaurant is going to do it differently. They have the freedom to pick and choose when they want to do that,” said Abbi Raben with Indiana Restaurant and Lodging Association.
Indiana lawmakers passed the ban on happy hour in 1985 as a way to reduce drunk driving.
"I think, in the past, when they did the happy hour, it was more of a binge drinking thing and I don't think that's the deal anymore," Strong said. "I think everybody's over that."
Drunk driving arrest statistics from the Indiana State Police show people do still choose to drive under the influence. Last year, ISP made close to 2,500 DUI arrests — and 450 were in the Indianapolis area.
Strong said bar owners play a role too in keeping those numbers down.
"It's also up to us to know when to cut them off, when you've had too much. It's part of being a responsible owner and staff," Strong said.
When Holcomb signed the law, he said it was about empowering businesses to serve responsibly.
Under this new law, businesses can offer “cocktails to-go.” The law permits the sale of alcoholic beverages for carryout in non-original containers. Those containers must be new, clean and sealable. They also must not be more than four quarts.
Additionally, the business permit holder must have carryout privileges.