Town toasts liquor law Newport can pop corks 11 a.m. Sundays
By Ryan Clark Enquirer staff writer
NEWPORT - On a recent night at the Hofbrauhaus, those in the dining hall are frenzied, standing on their seats and singing. The beer is flowing and the mood is ecstatic.
But while celebrations and songs occur often at the restaurant and brewery, this party is special.
"The city of Newport has changed its laws," co-owner Eric Haas tells the crowd via microphone, and again they cheer. "We can serve beer at 11 a.m. on Sundays."
The crowd roars.
It has been one week since commissioners decided to change the city's laws, allowing for beer and liquor to be served as early as 11 a.m. on Sundays.
Businesses are pleased, because Bengals fans can now drink with meals before 1 p.m. games, and other establishments can serve cocktails with brunches.
"It was very difficult on the crowd before the Bengals games," Haas said. "Now you can come out at 11 a.m., and it just makes it easier."
Plus, those establishments can now compete with restaurants in other towns, like Covington, that have always had earlier liquor laws.
Before the laws were changed, Newport businesses could serve beer at noon and liquor at 1 p.m. Packaged liquor is also now permitted to be sold at 11 a.m. on Sunday, where it was not previously allowed to be sold on Sundays at all.
Newport commissioners said they did not want the city's businesses to lose money to other towns. Haas said he already saw improvement last Sunday.
"I don't have the numbers yet to back it up, but I walked through and I noticed more people," he said. "I don't think people know about it yet, but once they do, they'll come."
Others say it will take time, but customers will find their way toward the earlier times.
Brian Hawk, manager of the Claddagh Irish Pub at Newport on the Levee, said he did not notice an increase in customer traffic last Sunday. But he also believes more people will soon come.
"Especially if the Bengals keep winning," he said. "People come out here because they are fans, and they will keep coming out here more and more. Then they will find out they can drink at 11, and they will tell their friends. Then everybody will see more people coming in."
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