West Virginia · WV · Food & drink
West Virginia: Are happy hour drink specials legal?
Allowed
West Virginia law has no rule against happy hours or drink specials, and licensees may advertise drink prices.
West Virginia's private club statute and the ABCA's private club licensing rule do not limit reduced drink prices or happy hours. The statute expressly allows licensees to advertise prices and brands outside their premises. The rule's only price floor applies to whole bottles sold for bottle service, not drinks.
What the law says
It is lawful for any licensee to advertise price and brand in any news media or other means, outside of the licensee's premises.
Sources
- W. Va. Code § 60-7-12(b) Official · code.wvlegislature.gov
- W. Va. Code R. 175-02 (Private Club Licensing) Official · apps.sos.wv.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration
- Phone
- 304-356-5500
- Website
- abca.wv.gov
How bordering states compare
- Kentucky Allowed with limitsKentucky has no happy hour ban, but retailers can't offer coupons on alcohol, give drinks away, or sell below cost.
- Maryland Allowed with limitsMaryland allows drink specials, but bars may not require a customer to buy more than one drink at a time.
- Ohio Allowed with limitsOhio allows happy hours before 9 p.m. but bans late-night discounts, two-for-one deals, and unlimited drinks for a fixed price.
- Pennsylvania Allowed with limitsPennsylvania allows happy hours of up to four hours a day and 24 hours a week, with no discounts after midnight.
- Virginia Allowed with limitsVirginia allows happy hours, but not between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m., and two-for-one or all-you-can-drink deals are banned.
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