Beach, Greenstein Bill to Allow Restaurants to Advertise BYOB Status Clears Committee

Trenton – Legislation sponsored by Senator James Beach and Senate Law and Public Safety Chair Linda Greenstein, which would allow restaurants to advertise that they are BYOB, cleared the Senate Law and Public Safety Committee yesterday.

“The whole purpose of BYOB is that diners bring in their own beer or wine, but without advertising people don’t know someplace is a BYOB until they get there,” said Senator Beach (D-Burlington/Camden). “This legislation will allow more people to take advantage of that offering.”

The bill, S-3016/3431, would remove the prohibition on restaurants without liquor licenses advertising that their patrons may bring their own beer or wine to drink on the premises. The bill would also allow restaurants to advertise that there is a wine salesroom on the premises.

“Many people seek out BYOB restaurants, especially when they are looking to go out to eat on a budget,” said Senator Greenstein (D-Mercer/Middlesex). “Lifting the ban on advertising that you are a BYOB will improve the business for those restaurants throughout the state.”

The bill comes in response to a recent US District Court decision which held the state’s prohibition on BYOB advertising is an unconstitutional violation of the right to free speech.

The bill was released from committee by a vote of 5-0, and next heads to the full Senate for further consideration.