PA Clarifies New Mitigation Order For Bars, Restaurants

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has clarified guidance for bars and restaurants following a statewide targeted mitigation executive order announced last week.

Among several things, the executive order limits alcohol sales at restaurants and bars to those consuming it with a meal.

The clarified guidance applies to licenses held by restaurants, retail dispensers, hotels, clubs, breweries, wineries, and golf courses. It states that selling alcohol for on-premises consumption is only allowed as part of a larger transaction that includes a meal purchase.

The term “meal” is defined in the Pennsylvania Liquor Code as “food prepared on the premises, sufficient to constitute breakfast, lunch or dinner.”

The definition expressly states that a snack, such as pretzels, popcorn, chips, or similar food, does not meet the definition of a meal, the PCLB said in its clarifying guidance.

Other items clarified in the new guidance include:

• A customer who wishes to consume alcohol on premise must also purchase a meal; a group of customers who wish to consume alcohol on premises may do so as long as a meal is part of the purchase made by the group.
• Additional drinks may be purchased while the customer is consuming the meal, but no further drinks may be purchased after the meal is finished.
• Bar service of food and/or alcohol is prohibited.
• For Pennsylvania manufacturers (breweries, distilleries, and wineries), meals may be provided by the licensee or by a third party, such as a food truck.
• Casinos may no longer provide drink service on the casino floor.
• If a club does not sell food, either directly or through a concessionaire, it cannot use its liquor license.

You can view the full updated guidance here.