New York happy hour laws

Legal

Happy hour is legal in New York with no state time limits. The main rule is that a bar cannot sell unlimited drinks for a fixed price, which means no bottomless brunch except at private functions.

Last checked · Oct 19, 2026

The rules

  1. No unlimited drinks during a set period for a fixed price, including pricing schemes that work around the rule.

    N.Y. Alco. Bev. Cont. Law § 117-a

  2. The ban does not apply to private functions not open to the public, such as weddings.

    N.Y. Alco. Bev. Cont. Law § 117-a(3)

Happy hour in New York

Sources