Can happy hour attract people downtown again?

A slew of high-profile drunk driving accidents in the 1980s, such as Barry’s, made lawmakers concerned that happy hours encouraged people to drink more, thus increasing the risk of injuries and death while driving, said Jarrett Dieterle, a resident senior fellow at the think tank R Street Institute… 

Policymakers and advocates for safer drinking practices also cite the risk of overconsumption and substance use disorders that could be worsened without regulations on how and where alcohol can be consumed.

But the research community at-large, Dieterle said, has not found a direct correlation between happy hours and higher rates of fatal car accidents or other injuries and health risks. The lack of evidence suggests people who are involved with, for instance, DUIs are likely binge drinkers, rather than the casual happy-hour attendee.

By loosening happy hour restrictions, “policymakers can help restaurants get more people in the door,” and generate more revenue, Dieterle said. Restaurants already have a tight profit margin and are facing even more financial pressures with rising food costs. That’s on top of legislative pushes to make restaurants pay their employees minimum wage, instead of relying on tips as a payment model…

“There are a lot of laws that have been on the books for a really long time, and there’s been more of an effort in recent years to reevaluate … everything from [happy hours], alcohol delivery, to retailing and where alcohol is sold,” Dieterle said.