Cambridge License Commission Drops Proposed 30-Minute Drink Rule After Backlash

The Cambridge License Commission walked back two of the most controversial provisions of its proposed liquor regulations overhaul Tuesday, removing draft rules that would have barred alcohol purchases in the final hour before closing and required patrons to wait at least 30 minutes between drinks.

The move, announced in an email to city leadership obtained by The Crimson, follows a wave of backlash from business owners, residents, and city councilors who raised concerns that the changes could have a severe economic impact on restaurants and bars already operating on narrow margins.

“The feedback received overwhelmingly viewed these as too restrictive to businesses and the consumer,” Deputy City Manager Katherine F. Watkins wrote in the email. “The Board carefully reviewed that feedback and supported the Licensees’ perspective.”

The two provisions had appeared in an early draft of updated rules for the Cambridge Board of License Commissioners, which is undertaking a long-awaited review of the city’s decade-old regulations around alcohol licensing. The commission released a first draft of its proposal in April and circulated it to businesses for feedback last month.

Still, city councilors and restaurant owners alike felt blindsided by the severity of the proposed changes, with several businesses taking to social media to express their outrage.

At last week’s Cambridge City Council meeting, where councilors passed a policy order opposing the proposal and calling for a broader review, Councilor Catherine “Cathie” Zusy said future changes to liquor regulations should not come as a surprise — to councilors or residents.

“There should be more community process before we’re writing an ordinance asking for alcohol use to be monitored in our bars at a 30-minute interval,” Zusy said.

Nicole Murati Ferrer, the chair of the License Commission, acknowledged the concerns in a Tuesday email to licensees obtained by The Crimson.

“The general consensus was that the proposal would not only negatively impact the businesses but also the public need, which is not what the Board intends,” Murati Ferrer wrote.

The commission will hold three additional meetings with licensees in July, according to Murati Ferrer. A meeting is also scheduled between the commission and the Cambridge Economic Opportunity and Development Division, the Office of Tourism, and city business associations.

The updated rules and regulations still face a long process of discussions and revision before they can be codified into law, according to Watkins.

“After these opportunities for additional feedback, the Board will have formal discussions at their August and September meetings before any votes are taken to formally change the rules and regulations,” Watkins wrote.

—Staff writer Shawn A. Boehmer can be reached at [email protected] and on Signal at shawnb.18. Follow him on X @ShawnBoehmer.

—Staff writer Risha Sinha can be reached at [email protected] and on Signal at rishas.13.