Should Nashua Bars Sell Alcohol Until 2 a.m.?

The House voted 208-123 on March 21 to pass a bill that would allow businesses with on-premise liquor licenses to sell alcohol until 2 a.m.

The bill would align closing hours with bars in surrounding states, according to supporters. The extra hour of alcohol sales would be for licensees without a violation for underage or inebriated customers in the past three years.

The bill, as amended, would allow towns and cities to decide whether or not they wish to grant the extra hour of operation.

Rep. Ruth Heden (D-Milford), opposing the bill in a report to the House, maintains there is concern about higher consumption of alcohol, especially among younger people, and greater demand around public safety services. "Extending hours to sell more alcohol at this time sends the wrong message," Heden reported.

The amendment's opt-out language for towns and cities reads, "If the legislative body of a city or town adopts an ordinance prohibiting sales by on-premises licensees after 1 a.m., the licensee shall comply with such ordinance."

Sponsors of the bill are: Reps. Mark Warden (R-Manchester), Laura Jones (R-Rochester), and Emily Sandblade (R-Manchester).

The state law is RSA 179:17, II. Current statute allows on-premise licensees to sell from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week.

Should Nashua's bars be allowed to sell until 2 a.m.? TELL US what you think in the comment section below.