Rhode Island happy hour laws

Banned

Happy hour has been banned in Rhode Island since 1985. A bar can run a special price for a whole calendar day, but not for just a few hours.

Last checked · Oct 19, 2026

The rules

  1. Licensees may not advertise or promote happy hours, open bars, two-for-one nights or free drink specials.

    R.I. Gen. Laws § 3-7-26(b)(1)

  2. Happy hours are prohibited, but a daily special at one fixed price all calendar day is allowed.

    230-RICR-30-10-1.4.16

Happy hour in Rhode Island

Bars in Rhode Island 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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