The Concept of Happy Hour: A Misconception?
It may be “five o’clock somewhere,” but that doesn’t mean it’s happy hour everywhere. The concept of happy hour, a period after typical work hours when discounts are offered to bar and restaurant patrons, is a bit of an American institution. You had a hard day of work and you now deserve a cold one and a plate of nachos. However, this notion is not as universal as one might think.
The Reality of Happy Hour: A State-by-State Perspective
The reality is, that some states won’t allow their local bars and restaurants to have happy hour promotions. This raises an interesting question: how did happy hour originate, and is it a universal phenomenon or a regional tradition?
The Origin Story of Happy Hour
The origin story of happy hours can be traced back to the late 1800s. Business Insider reports that the term “Happy Hour Club” was adopted for a social club that was around at that time. This suggests that the concept of happy hour was already present in some form, but it was not yet widely adopted. The concept would turn into “happy hour” thanks to the Navy. Business Insider found that the crew of the U.S.S. Arkansas started having their own “Happy Hours” in 1913, which included “entertainment, boxing and wrestling matches, music, dancing and movies.” This is a fascinating example of how a naval tradition can influence the development of a modern concept. However, the happy hours were later scrapped when the Secretary of the U.S. Navy prohibited the use of alcohol on ships.
States Where Happy Hour Is Illegal
Not every state was on board with adopting the Navy’s happy hour tradition. There are still states to this day where having a reduced price on drinks for happy hour is outlawed.
- Alaska
- Massachusetts
- North Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- Utah
- Vermont
But that has been changing in recent years. In 2015, Illinois started allowing happy-hour drink specials for the first time. Liquor license holders can reduce drink prices for up to four hours on any one day, but no more than 15 total hours in a week.
| State | Year | Happy Hour Law |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | 2015 | Allowed happy-hour drink specials |
| Indiana | 2020 | Reversed ban on happy hours |
Conclusion
That leaves seven states that still don’t allow happy hour discounts for drinks after work. Residents of those states will need their own bar at home where they can have happy hour. Maybe even enjoy some movies and wrestling like they once did in the Navy. In conclusion, happy hour is a complex phenomenon that is not as universal as one might think. While some states have embraced the concept, others have outlawed it. This raises interesting questions about the nature of happy hour and its place in modern society.
