Washington: Are happy hour drink specials legal?
Washington allows happy hours, but bans two-for-one style deals and drink prices below the licensee's cost.
Washington has no rule on when drink specials may run. Bars may not advertise deals that require buying more than one drink to get a lower price, such as 'buy one, get one free'. Drinks may not be sold below the licensee's cost, and free drinks can't be part of a promotion, though a bar may give a free drink for a birthday or to make up for poor service.
Conditions
- No two-for-one or multiple-drink discounts
- No sales below acquisition cost
- Free drinks may not be advertised or used in promotions
What the law says
(2) No retail licensee shall offer for sale any liquor for on premises consumption under advertising slogans where the expressed or implied meaning is that a customer, in order to receive a reduced price, would be required to purchase more than one drink at a time, such as "two for the price of one," "buy one—get one free," or "two for $______."
Sources
- WAC 314-52-110 Official · app.leg.wa.gov
- WAC 314-11-085 Official · app.leg.wa.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board
- Phone
- (360) 664-1600
- Website
- lcb.wa.gov
How bordering states compare
All 50 states for this question · Other topics in Washington