Montana · MT · Food & drink
Montana: Are happy hour drink specials legal?
Allowed
Montana has no law aimed at happy hours, though licensees can't resell liquor below the state's posted price.
Montana's alcohol code has no provision on happy hours, drink specials, or free or unlimited drinks. One statute bars licensees from reselling liquor bought from a state agency liquor store for less than the department's posted price. That works as a price floor for spirits, but the law doesn't say how it applies to single drinks.
Conditions
- Liquor may not be resold below the department's posted price
What the law says
Except as provided in 16-2-201, it is unlawful for a licensee under the provisions of this code to resell liquor purchased by the licensee from an agency liquor store for a sum less than the posted price established by the department.
Sources
- MCA 16-3-307 Official · mca.legmt.gov
- MCA Title 16, Ch. 3, Part 3 (Retail Sales Restrictions) Official · mca.legmt.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Montana Department of Revenue (alcoholic beverage licensing)
- Phone
- (406) 444-0596
- Website
- revenue.mt.gov
How bordering states compare
- Idaho AllowedIdaho does not regulate what bars charge for drinks, so happy hour specials are allowed.
- North Dakota AllowedNorth Dakota has no state law limiting happy hour drink prices; cities and counties may set their own rules.
- South Dakota AllowedSouth Dakota has no state rule limiting happy hour drink specials; the only floor is a ban on selling below wholesale cost.
- Wyoming AllowedWyoming state law has no rule limiting happy hours or drink specials; retailers set their own prices.