Thursday, December 28, 2023–10:42 a.m.
-Staff reports-
The Rome City Commission has adopted a resolution that designates this coming Sunday, which is New Year’s Eve, as the one Sunday in the calendar year that allows certain establishments to pour alcohol.
During a called meeting on Wednesday, Rome City Clerk Joe Smith Secretary Smith explained that it has recently come to the attention of the City of Rome, that state law allows local governments to designate one Sunday per calendar year in which establishments that are not otherwise qualified to pour on Sunday, are allowed to pour alcohol.
Smith explained that the enabling statute, which authorized the City of Rome to call for a Sunday pouring referendum, specifies that any establishment which pours beer, wine, or liquor on Sunday, must meet the state-mandated annual 50/50 food/drink ratio.
There are currently six pouring establishments in the City of Rome that are not allowed to pour on Sundays since they do not meet the state-mandated food/drink ratio.
City Attorney Andy Davis explained that this state statute originally was drafted to allow Savannah establishments to pour alcohol on St. Patrick’s Day, which fell on a Sunday.
