Bloomington liquor commission reviewing policies on free alcohol

Posted on May 10, 2017
Downtown Bloomington
Events such as First Friday in downtown Bloomington in which businesses often provide free alcohol samples are under review. (WJBC file photo)

By Greg Halbleib

BLOOMINGTON – Though he hasn’t heard of any problems, Bloomington Mayor Tari Renner says the city’s liquor commission will review how events that provide free alcohol are handled.

Renner said some businesses involved in events such as downtown Bloomington’s First Fridays have included free drinks, and for a long time the city simply looked the other way because there have not been any associated problems.

“Essentially, the downtown bar owner who complained didn’t like the fact that some people were giving away alcohol while that was his livelihood,” Renner told WJBC’s Patti Penn. “So we are obligated to at least look into that. Whether or not we change our ordinance to change a problem that apparently doesn’t exist is another story.”

Renner says the town’s legal staff suggested a review of the policies on free alcohol. The mayor suggested scheduling a public hearing next month.

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