Does Happy Hour Have a Place in Wayland?

The state's Happy Hour law is garnering new examination as restaurant owners point out the unfair competition they could receive as the state's soon-to-open casinos are permitted to offer patrons free alcohol.

An article in the Boston Herald points out that many restaurant trade groups as well as advocacy groups, such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving, don't want to see the state return to the days of two-for-one or half-price drink specials. Still, some groups support the opportunity for each establishment to have the freedom to make that decision in-house.

Sound Off: Do you support drink discounts in Wayland restaurants and establishments throughout the state?

Mandy Phillips, who owns Wayland's with her husband, Kenny, said she isn't sure just yet how their establishment would approach new Happy Hour guidelines.

“I’m torn," Phillips said. "It would kind of be nice to have Happy Hour, but you don’t want to promote heavy drinking at 5 and 6 o’clock -- before dinner.”

Phillips said she already doesn't serve pitchers of beer at Dudley Chateau because she believes that promotes heavy drinking, an activity she wants to avoid at her restaurant.

"I would rather have people come have a couple of drinks and dinner,” Phillips said.

Phillips said she might be willing to offer deals such as $3 drafts, which relaxing the current laws could allow, but she doesn't want to reduce prices to the point that Dudley Chateau attracts people who are only interested in inexpensive, volume alcohol.

If the current laws are relaxed, Phillips said she would defer to her husband, a lawyer, before making any changes at Dudley Chateau.

The state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission is holding a hearing in Boston Aug. 21 to solicit public feedback. The hearing is part of the casino bill passed last year, which requires the ABCC to complete a study by Jan. 31 of whether the state Happy Hour law should be updated or amended.

Post your thoughts in the comments section below.