Cambridge Might Force a 30-Minute Wait Between Drinks, and Local Bars Are Furious

The City of Cambridge License Commission is considering updating its alcohol licensing regulations. According to reports, one option under review is a "time-out" of sorts between alcoholic drinks in public drinking establishments.

As you might imagine, the very idea is causing quite a reaction from some in the community.

What Is the Proposed 30-Minute Wait Rule?

"A draft overhaul of Cambridge's alcohol licensing regulations is drawing pushback from mostly patrons and some local bar and restaurant owners over a proposal requiring patrons to wait 30 minutes between alcoholic drinks," reported Boston.com.

Mass Daily News reported that "The 30-minute wait is one of several restrictions in the draft."

Other restrictions would reportedly include no alcoholic drinks served in the 20 minutes before closing time; no shots or bottles of wine served in the hour before closing; and a requirement that drinks left on the table be consumed within 15 minutes after closing, according to Mass Daily News.

Cambridge Considers 30-Minute Time Out Between Drinks At Bars

Local Business Owners Push Back

Lauren Friel, owner of the wine bar Dear Annie, told NBC 10 Boston, "This city doesn't make it easy for us to operate."

"It does often feel like they treat us more like a nuisance and less like an important part of the community," she said, noting she was "kind of appalled, and shocked and surprised" when she first learned of the proposal.

Timeline for the Proposed License Changes

Boston.com said that "The Commission expects to hold meetings in August to discuss the proposals further, with a potential vote on the updated rules and regulations by December."

Statewide Alcohol Trends and Last Call Extensions

Governor Maura Healey recently signed legislation extending last call to 3 a.m. through July. Not all communities have signed on, though. New Bedford expects to reject the idea, but Fall River plans to go along with it. Healey is also lobbying for the return of "happy hour."

Some Cambridge barkeeps and restaurant owners fear that if the regulations are adopted, they will lose their business to nearby Boston.