Rome’s Alcohol Control Commission Eyes New Regulations: Will Food and Drink Ratios Change?

On Tuesday, the Rome Alcohol Control Commission is set to talk about two important new rules for selling food and drinks.

First Rule:
This rule aims to eliminate special exceptions that allow businesses to make less than 50% of their sales from food. However, if a business currently has an exception, they can keep it.

Second Rule:
Food trucks can still help meet the food sales requirement, but only if there’s an existing kitchen at the main location. This ensures that food is an integral part of the business.

The proposed rules also emphasize that drinks should only be sold at real restaurants, hotels, and private clubs, not at bars that claim to be something they are not.

The Commission will gather at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at City Hall, located at 601 Broad St. Anyone interested in these discussions is welcome to attend. After the meeting, the Commission will send their recommendations to the Rome City Commission for final approval.

Currently, businesses selling drinks must generate at least half their revenues from food. In recent years, exceptions have been granted, but Commission members are pushing for clearer guidelines, potentially stopping exceptions altogether.

Recently, the City Commission dismissed a proposal to create a new category for “small bars” that wouldn’t have to adhere to the 50% rule. They also opted not to eliminate all exceptions.

The new rule under consideration would maintain existing exceptions, making it easier for new owners or relocated businesses to keep them.

Additionally, there’s a plan to allow drinks to be sold at the upcoming library amphitheater, similar to other public venues like the Forum.

Lastly, the Commission will also consider extending the permits for selling beer, wine, and liquor at Mega Beverage Rome, which is being constructed at the old Fazoli’s site on Hicks Drive. This extension would last for another six months.