PaTaverns supports bill that encourages outdoor dining and entertainment

Today the Pennsylvania Senate Law & Justice Committee moved a bill that will encourage outdoor dining and entertainment at taverns, bars, and restaurants.

Chuck Moran, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, released the following concerning today’s action in the Pennsylvania Senate Law & Justice Committee of  SB 1212:

"For the past two years, Pennsylvanians have put greater demand on outdoor activities including dining and entertainment. Unfortunately, for non-winery licensees, offering outdoor activities is problematic due to state laws that do not allow these licensees to have any sound on their property line.

In other words, if a pin drop can be heard on their property line, they can be cited and fined. According to National Hearing Conservation Association, normal conversation is between 60 and 70 decibels.

This type of outdated liquor code thus has hampered opportunities for many tavern, bar, and licensed restaurants owners wanting to offer outdoor dining and entertainment but fearing the consequences of having the slightest level of sound on their property line ...."

"The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association has been stating throughout the pandemic that this type of reasonable change is much needed to help better accommodate those concerned about COVID. But, even before the pandemic, our Association had advocated for this change simply to be fair to all liquor licensees. This has been one of our legislative priorities set by our Board of Directors."

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