EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — New state liquor rules that went into effect this month for Oregon bar and restaurant owners have relaxed the rules on advertising “happy hour” drink and food specials for the first time since 1985.
Happy hour ads had been confined to the premises. But under new rules approved April 16 by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, bars and restaurants can run ads for specials on a reader board, Web site, newspaper advertisement or Internet tweet.
Some restrictions still apply. But the liquor commission said social media, in the form of blogs, Facebook, MySpace and Twitter, made enforcement of the happy hour rules difficult.
Bar and restaurant owners also told the commission they have suffered in the recession and needed more freedom to let bargain-hunting consumers know about their specials.
