Massachusetts happy hour laws

Banned

Happy hour has been banned in Massachusetts since 1984. A bar has to charge the same drink price all week. A bill to allow it locally was still pending in October 2026.

Last checked · Oct 19, 2026

The rules

  1. Drinks may not be sold for less than the price regularly charged during the same calendar week, except at private functions.

    204 CMR 4.03(1)(c)

  2. No free drinks, no more than two drinks to one person at a time, and no unlimited drinks for a fixed price.

    204 CMR 4.03(1)(a), (b), (d)

  3. Bars may not advertise or promote any of these practices.

    204 CMR 4.03(2)

Happy hour in Massachusetts

Bars in Massachusetts can't discount drinks for part of the day, so there are no happy hour windows to list. What venues tend to offer instead is food specials and a lower everyday price on drinks.

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