Would you like a chardonnay with your fries?

Tucked away in a 141-page consumer protection bill that was enacted by the legislature and signed by the governor this past spring was an amendment to the Liquor Control Act allowing patrons to order alcoholic beverages from a service counter, similar to what you would experience at a fast food joint like McDonalds or Wendy’s, or even a Chick Fil-A.

Section 70 of this voluminous bill, which became Public Act 24-142 stated that, in relevant part, that “a consumer service bar is a counter, without seats, at which a patron may purchase alcoholic liquor, but for which the primary function is to facilitate the purchase of food. Alcoholic liquor may be served to a patron across the consumer service bar, but no patron shall sit or consume alcoholic liquor or food at the consumer service bar. Minors may stand at a consumer service bar for the purpose of ordering and receiving food.”

This update to the manner in which patrons can legally acquire alcoholic beverages from licensed restaurants and bars is just the latest improvement for the Connecticut liquor hospitality industry; it was relatively recent that automatic self-pour systems for beer, wine, and cider were allowed, and are starting to appear in area restaurants and cafes.

In no way does this allow for minors to be able to order or be served alcoholic beverages.  It allows them to be at the service counter solely for the purpose of ordering food.

For more information about this or any other liquor-related issue, feel free to reach out to The JJS Consulting Group.