The Ohio Liquor Control Commission unanimously approved Gov. Mike DeWine’s request to implement a curfew on the sale of liquor at bars and restaurants starting at 10 pm nightly July 31.
The commission met in an emergency meeting this morning on the measure aimed at curbing COVID-19 outbreaks throughout the state. DeWine said he intends to sign the executive order to go into effect the evening of July 31.
Any alcoholic drink purchased before 10 pm must be consumed by 11 pm The rule will be applied to any business with a liquor license. According to the governor’s spokesperson, the order is in place until further notice.
Local businesses are devastated by this new curfew and many feel like it might just be the final nail in the coffin for struggling bars and restaurants. We reached out to a few local restaurant and bar owners for comments. One bar owner who preferred to stay anonymous points out that in June the Ohio House put out a bill that would allow bars to serve until 4am on weekends to try and recoup some of their lost sales and now less than 2 months later they are cutting back our hours. For many business owner pointed out they’ve just renewed their liquor license and now they are being cut back 25% in their operating hours- asked if they will get a refund for 25% of the license fee?
MacKenzie Manley, owner of Mack’s Tavern shared ” that 70% of our business is after 10pm from servers after they get off work that is now lost? What do I do with my bartenders to make it fair to them on shifts so they can still pay their bills? How am I supposed to pay rent when I am going to lose at least $10,000 a month in sales now?Arc
hers Tavern has announced that in order to comply with the directive from the state of Ohio, they are introducing UNHAPPY HOUR! We will make last call for alcohol at 9:59. From 10:00 P.M. until 11:00 all appetizers will be ½ price for dine-in only. Drinks ordered prior to 10:00 P.M. must be consumed by 11:00. Restaurant will remain open until midnight or until all of our guests have been served. See you tonight for UNHAPPY HOUR!
At The Dublin Pub starting today you can get a pint of beer or a liter (33.8 ounces). Although some may consider it blasphemous to get a Guinness in anything other than 20oz gravity glass, this is a new option to order a big ass beer around 9:59 pm. Also between nine and 10 they are now including a Sidecar shot of Jameson, Absolut, Tullamore Dew, Skrewball, or Fireball for $3.00. 
Bob Byers at Carmel’s Southwest Bar and Grill says “I’m disappointed we are all being punished for the careless acts of a few. I’d really like to see the Health Departments be a little more proactive about penalizing those not following the rules- shut them down for 30 days, they’ll learn. It’s just wrong the industry is being punished by the lack of care of a few. For a a small bar like the Somewhere Lounge can do as much in the last 2 hours as we do all day.” Byers shares that much of his business at the lounge is from industry folks getting off work at their jobs and stopping in late night for drinks. The anxiety levels for staff and owners is rising, wondering what this curfew is going to do to our incomes.
Newcom’s Tavern just posted this on their Facbook page: We are saddened to announce that we will be temporarily closed due to the new limited hours for alcohol on-site consumption passed by the Ohio Liquor Control Commission. We are so grateful for the love and support of the community and can’t wait to serve you again very soon! Stay safe and healthy and we’ll see you soon!
