Rep. Gergely’s happy hour bill signed into law

It allows bars and restaurants to designate 24 happy hours each week and reapply for outdoor seating permits.

Pennsylvanians will soon enjoy more happy hours and outdoor dining after Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill sponsored by state Rep. Matt Gergely, D-McKeesport, into law.

The new law — which will go into effect in about two months — allows bars and restaurants to host 24 hours of happy hours a week. Previously, those businesses were only allowed 14 happy hours per week.

Additionally, restaurants are now able to reapply for permanent outdoor seating permits, which was originally a temporary measure brought on by the pandemic.

“It’s well known that happy hours are used to pull customers into establishments through special drink offerings,” Chuck Moran, executive director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, said in a statement. “By increasing the total hours per week, we’re hopeful that through creative marketing each establishment will be able to use this tool to attract more patrons.”

The new law, which was introduced by Gergely as House Bill 829, will also allow a person to work at more than one business with an alcohol license at a time. Gergely views it as a way to boost small businesses.

“The pandemic took a heavy toll on small businesses across the country, especially those in the food and beverage industry. Not only that, bars, restaurants and other liquor-licensed entities are still facing a worker shortage in the post-COVID era, especially when it comes to hiring experienced and knowledgeable staff,” Gergely said in a statement. “House Bill 829 would release such workers from the exclusive grip exercised by businesses with liquor licenses, and this new inclusivity would lead to higher profits and boost to local economies.

“Having extra money in their pockets will help workers and their families afford daily necessities and benefit

their financial stability as well.”

The bill received bipartisan support in the state House and Senate, passing both chambers in landslide votes.

“This bill is a win-win for Pennsylvanians and Pennsylvania small businesses,” Gergely said. “I want to thank House and Senate members on both sides of the aisle for helping this common sense measure reach this point.”