VA Beer Law Question

As far as I know, not in Virginia proper, but there are jurisdictions with such laws--in Alexandria, a certain percentage must be food sales (which means the Birchmere, long a folk music haven at its old location, was forced to sell food to keep its performance license, or so I'm told).

As an owner of a restaurant and bar in Virginia let me assure you that you absolutely must sell food.

Not only that the food and non-alcoholic beverage sales must stay above 50% of your total sales and you fill out an annual report for them to prove it (although I have my doubts about enforcement of that). You have two liscenses in VA, a beer and wine license and a mixed drink license. The requirements for just beer and wine are not as strict. I have never had just a beer and wine license but when you apply for mixed drink license you must submit your menu for review at the VA Alcohol Beverage Control with your application. Not only must you sell food but your menu must include "entrees", not just sandwiches and pub food. That's why so many bars out there have crappy over priced steaks dinners etc. If they don't like your menu you must change it before you are issued a license.

This is just the beginning of the archaic ABC laws in Virginia.

Randy

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Geez, and I thought Pennsylvania was bad. They require you to sell food to be open on Sunday. The other six days, you can sell only beer, wine and liquor.