The federal government may be gridlocked, but it only took legislators in Albany eight months to study, debate and reach an agreement on changesto New York’s alcohol regulations. (Thanks,soccer.) RELATED:NYC’s propsed brunch changes stink of sexism Earlier this week, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office announced an agreement between major players in the New York State Legislature to modernize key parts the 80-year-old ABC Law.
The biggest change for most New Yorkers concerns Sunday brunch: Bars and restaurants can now serve the mimosas, Bloody Marys, beer and whatever else makes Sunday mornings worth rolling out of bed for at 10 a.m., two hours earlier than the current start time of noon.Additionally, businesses with liquor licenses can apply up to 12 times a year to begin service at 8 a.m. RELATED: Nashville hot chicken comes to roost in Brooklyn at Carla Hall’s Southern Kitchen In another common sense change, wineries are no longer limited to selling sealed bottles. Customers can now take home partially finished bottles, and wineries are allowed to sell growlers.
“We’ve worked hard to cut red tape, lower costs and roll back burdensome regulations to help New York’s craft beverage industry thrive,” Cuomo said in a press release. “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.”
NYC’s Sunday boozy brunch starts at 10 a.m. as of this weekend
ThinkStock
On Friday, the legislature passedthe updated Alcoholic Beverage Control Law that allows Sunday brunch service to begin two hours earlier, at 10 a.m., across New York State. Capitol Confidential quoted Assembly Democratic Majority Leader Joe Morelle as saying lawmakers, in a vote of106-21 to pass the changes,were heeding the “growing demand of New Yorkers who wish to enjoy a simple freedom on Sunday morning.”
