Mayor signs new framework for Sunday alcohol sales into law

Published Oct 30, 2012 at 10:00 am (Updated Oct 30, 2012)

Come Sunday, bars in Baton Rouge will be able to open their doors to thirsty patrons and retailers will be able to sell alcohol beginning at 6 a.m. That's because Mayor Kip Holden this morning put his signature to an ordinance recently approved by the Metro Council that rolls back restrictions on bar openings and alcohol sales on Sundays. After much debate, the council last week approved relaxing some of the city-parish's "blue laws" concerning Sunday sales. All bars can now open between 11 a.m. on midnight on Sundays; while retailers can sell alcohol between 6 a.m. and midnight. The mayor's office sent out a brief notice this morning saying Holden had signed the ordinance, meaning it goes into effect immediately. The changes were coming, regardless of Holden's signature. Had he not signed it, the ordinance would have gone into effect 12 days after the council approved it. The mayor provided no comment on his signing of the ordinance. Metro Councilman Mike Walker, who is considered Holden's strongest challenger in the Nov. 6 mayoral race, was among the council members who voted against relaxing the blue laws. Prior to the new ordinance, bars could only open and serve alcohol on Sunday if their food sales or other non-alcoholic receipts accounted for 50% or more of their total monthly revenue.

Editor’s note: This story has been changed since its original publication. An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Metro Councilman Mike Walker had voted in favor of relaxing the blue laws. He voted against the measure. Daily Report regrets the error.