Chef Geoff Sues Over Virginia Happy Hour Advertising Restrictions

The owner of Chef Geoff's and Lia's is suing the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control over the state's happy hour advertising law. Unlike DC and Maryland, Virginia does not allow bars to advertise happy hour prices, and violations could lead to fines or suspension of a liquor license.

Chef Geoff Tracy told WTOP the law negatively impacts business and violates First Amendment rights. His DC and Chevy Chase, Md. locations advertise "Wine down Wednesdays” and “$5 margaritas," but the Tysons Corner location cannot do so.

"I have my First Amendment rights. I should be able to tell you that the beer is $5 or it is $2 off," he told WTOP. "I think every reasonable person would agree that is kind of ridiculous."

Virginia ABC would not comment on the pending lawsuit but told NBC Washington that restaurants cannot use terms more specific than “happy hour” or “drink specials.” In other words, businesses can list hours and specific drinks but not prices. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

"Happy hour three to seven—come and find out the prices. It's just kind of a little bit weird and, again, takes the creativity out of it," Tracy told NBC Washington.

What do you think of Virginia's happy hour advertising law? Let us know in the comments.

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