Minnesotans who want to order an alcoholic drink with breakfast may soon be in luck, thanks to a new law passed over the weekend.
Governor Mark Dayton signed a liquor policy bill on Friday that will allow Minnesotans to consume alcohol at 8 a.m. on Sundays in restaurants, hotels, bars and other centers that serve alcohol. Prior to the law, establishments had to wait until 10 a.m. to serve alcohol to patrons.
The bill went into effect on Friday, but many managers held their pours over some confusion over city ordinances.
“We were all exchanging emails and phone calls trying to figure out if Minneapolis had a city ordinance that either deferred to the state ordinance or allowed us to start serving today,” said Stephanie Shimp, co-owner of the Freehouse in the North Loop.
After doing a little digging, it turns out that there’s some red tape each municipality needs to clear up before bars and restaurants can starting serving alcohol earlier on Sundays. One Minneapolis city council member said he expects the city ordinance to be passed in about a week or two, meaning you have to wait until 10 a.m to grab a mimosa with your mother this Mother’s Day.
State Expands Growler Sales
Minnesota also added new provisions to Sunday liquor sales that affects craft breweries. Under the new law, craft breweries will be allowed to sell 66-ounce growlers of beer and “bombers” – 750 ml bottles of beer – on Sundays, granted they have the proper licenses.
The growler law and the so called “Bloody Mary” law passed with overwhelming support, but once again lawmakers rejected a repeal of the state’s ban on Sunday liquor sales. It seems likely that Sunday liquor sales will eventually be the norm in Minnesota, but for now, residents either need to plan ahead on Saturday, rely on craft breweries or head across the border.
Related source MPR News
