by johnharris » Tue May 18, 2010 9:59 am
Keep these points in mind.
1) Tennessee law does not distinguish among a bar, tavern, and a restaurant. All are operating under "restaurant" classification with respect to liquor licensing.
2) There are many, many places with liquor licenses that are not licensed as restaurants. These would include museums, aquariums, entertainment venues (TPAC), hotels, beds & breakfast, etc. Thus, not all places with liquor licenses are "restaurants" nor do they obtain any meaningful (in many instances) portion of their revenue from food sales.
3) The 2009 law only dealt with those places that were arguably restaurants.
4) The proposed 2010 law deletes the existing "alcohol" statute entirely so there is no longer a state prohibition based on whether the place sells alcohol / beer for on premises consumption. These places are now treated like any other public accommodation and will be open (if the law goes into effect) unless the property owner/manager elects to post it in compliance with the new proposed posting standards.
John Harris
Executive Director
Tennessee Firearms Association, Inc.
Attorney