Mayor signs new framework for Sunday alcohol sales into law

Come Sunday, bars in Baton Rouge will be able to open their doors to thirsty patrons and retailers will be able to sell alcohol beginning at 6 a.m. That’s because Tuesday morning, Mayor-President Kip Holden put his signature on an ordinance recently approved by the Metro Council that rolls back restrictions on bar openings and alcohol sales on Sundays. After much debate, the council last week approved relaxing some of the city-parish’s “blue laws”—now, all bars can open between 11 a.m. and midnight on Sundays; while retailers can sell alcohol between 6 a.m. and midnight.

The changes were coming, regardless of Holden’s signature. Had he not signed it, the ordinance would have gone into effect 12 days after the council approved it. The mayor provided no comment on his signing. Metro Councilman Mike Walker, who is considered Holden’s strongest challenger in the Nov. 6 mayoral race, was among the council members who voted against relaxing the blue laws. Prior to the new ordinance, bars could only open and serve alcohol on Sunday if their food sales or other non-alcoholic receipts accounted for 50% or more of their total monthly revenue.