Happy hour is a great way to get customers in the door, but the rules around pricing, timing, and advertising are stricter than many owners realize. A simple mistake like extending your drink specials too long can end in fines or even liquor license suspension.
How Pennsylvania Defines “Happy Hour”
Under Pennsylvania law, a “happy hour” is any period when a licensed establishment sells alcoholic beverages at a discount. That includes any special pricing or free drink offer meant to attract customers. Even $1 off draft beer falls under the law.
Because happy hour pricing affects alcohol sales and consumption, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) has strict rules about how and when you can offer discounts. Every bar or restaurant with a liquor license must follow these regulations. It doesn’t matter whether the promotion happens daily, weekly, or only during special events.
Time Limits and Scheduling Rules
You’re allowed to offer discounted alcoholic beverages for up to four hours per day and 24 hours per week. Those hours can be divided in any way you choose, as long as the happy hour pricing ends by midnight.
You can change your happy hour schedule, but you need to post the times on your premises at least seven days before the specials begin. This notice requirement gives the PLCB and your customers clear information about when discounts apply. Failing to post your schedule is a violation.
Food Specials and Nonalcoholic Discounts
You can run food specials at the same time as your happy hour, but discounted food prices don’t count toward your four-hour daily or 24-hour weekly limit. Owners may offer discounts on nonalcoholic drinks at any time. Finally, you may offer up to two food-and-alcoholic-beverage specials per day.
The “Drink Special” Restrictions
Pennsylvania prohibits several types of drink promotions outright, even if they fall within your happy hour window. You can’t:
- Offer unlimited drinks for a set price (“all-you-can-drink” specials).
- Give away alcoholic beverages for free, even as prizes or rewards.
- Increase drink volume without proportionally raising the price (for example, selling a 16-ounce beer for the same price as a 12-ounce one).
These restrictions exist to limit overconsumption and maintain public safety. The PLCB enforces them strictly. Violations can lead to citations and jeopardize your liquor license renewal.
Temporary Events and Extended Hours
If you’re hosting a special event, like a game-day promotion or holiday party, you can still hold happy hour discounts. However, you need to track your hours carefully. The four-hour daily limit applies even during major events.
For example, if you offer discounted drinks from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. during a Steelers game, you can’t discount drinks again later that night—you’ve already used up your four-hour daily limit. Some licensees mistakenly assume special occasions exempt them from time limits, but the PLCB doesn’t make exceptions there. On the other hand, if you run a three-hour promotion during the game, you can run another one-hour promotion another time that day, as long as it falls within your weekly 24-hour limit.
If you want to serve alcohol later than your regular hours, you must apply for an extended hours food (EHF) permit, which allows service until 3 a.m. However, this permit doesn’t expand your happy hour window. It only extends when you can sell alcohol at regular prices.
Talk to a Pittsburgh Liquor License Attorney
Gusty Sunseri & Associates, P.C., helps Pittsburgh bar and restaurant owners navigate Pennsylvania’s liquor laws, from license applications to PLCB compliance. If you have questions about happy hour regulations or other alcohol-related laws, contact our law firm for guidance from an experienced lawyer before making changes to your promotions or pricing.