Drink sales without liquor license okayed

By Associated Press

Posted: Jul 3, 2009 3:23 PM

Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed into law a bill that ensures restaurants can offer drink specials and live entertainment even though they don't have bar licenses.

The measure arose from disputes between restaurants and state Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Murphy Painter. Painter has fined businesses with restaurant licenses, claiming they operate as bars because they have drink specials or shut down kitchens and have live music.

The new law, sponsored by Shreveport Sen. Lydia Jackson, will allow such establishments to keep their restaurant licenses if they meet requirements that include drawing at least half their income from the sale of food and nonalcoholic drinks.

Critics say that will open the door to neighborhood restaurants operating as bars.

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  • Avatar for irishrose
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    irishrose at Jul 3rd 2009 4:39 PM

    Oh, great. Just perfect. It's about right that that someone from Shreveport would push this. Almost as bad as if it'd been the other corner of the state.

  • Avatar for KBCraig
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    KBCraig at Jul 3rd 2009 5:55 PM

    The critics aren't paying attention: food sales have to stay at least 50% of revenues, or they lose their licenses. By any definition, that means they will stay "restaurants", not bars.

    Why shouldn't a restaurant be able to have live music and cover charges if they wish?

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