The amendment could have been a boon for some restaurants, struggling with skyrocketing labor and food costs, proponents of the notion say. But Nancy Caswell, treasurer of United mass restaurants and owner of Caswell Restaurant Groupsaid few business owners openly supported lawmakers in getting on board with the measure.

“We’re willing to have the conversation (about happy hour) in a more robust way, particularly for certain neighborhoods that could benefit from it,” she added. “But we understood that the nuances would be from a liability and insurance standpoint when it comes to alcohol consumption.”

While happy hours are common in many parts of the country, Massachusetts banned them in 1984 due to increased concerns about drunk driving. Critics have argued that two-for-one or half-price beers have a “deleterious impact” on public safety in the Commonwealth, although the tide has begun to turn over the past decade amid a he growing concern about the health of the restaurant industry and Grand. The appeal of Boston to young people.

Sen. Julian Cyr, a Provincetown Democrat, has sponsored several bills to repeal the 40-year hiatus to support restaurants and thwart Massachusetts. lackluster reputation for nightlife.

“Millennials are really conscious of the fact that they can’t afford to live here, and maybe they can’t have fun either,” he said. told the Globe in July. “Happy hour is not a panacea, it’s not going to solve all of these challenges, but it’s a good tool to help in the right direction.”

Much of the fear about drunk driving has diminished. Since 1982, drunk driving deaths across the country have increased diminished 36 percent, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Dixon Leung, operating partner of Wakuwaku Ramen, said happy hour could transform his restaurants in Chinatown, Harvard Square and Waltham during off-peak hours between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

“It would encourage people to come, attract them during quiet hours and increase our alcohol sales,” he said. “That would be great.”

But some businesses worry that allowing happy hours will force them to compete with larger companies. restaurants that can afford dizzying discount prices, said Steve Clark, president of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association. Others don’t care much about the issue.

“We’ve been having the same conversation for probably 10 years,” he said. “It’s generally not a priority for most restaurants, although it gets a lot of attention when it’s brought up.”

THE The final version of the economic development bill creates a commission to study credit card fees and their treatment, particularly in the restaurant and retail industries. (Massachusetts is one of two states — along with Connecticut — that don’t allow businesses to pass credit card fees on to consumers.)

It all caps off a busy year surrounding all things alcohol in Beacon Hill: The economic development package now includes a provision allowing non-citizens to serve as official statewide liquor license managers — a “technical change that will make a difference”. for a small but important group of people,” Clark added.

The State House also raised its wand to Boston’s liquor landscape this summer, choosing to expand the pool of liquor licenses available in the city by 225 licenses. Most licenses are reserved for low-income neighborhoods, including Mattapan, Hyde Park and East Boston. They will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis starting December 6.

Diti Kohli can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow her @ditikohli_.