LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — Lexington's Urban County Council has passed an ordinance to expand alcohol sales on Sundays to 6:00 a.m.
Right now, they can only start serving at 11:00 a.m. on Sundays. It's a holdover from the era of once-popular blue laws. For many years, Lexingtonians couldn't buy alcohol at restaurants at all on Sundays.
In a 13-1 passing decision, alcohol sales at restaurants will now have uniform hours throughout the week, going from 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 a.m.
It's a welcome change for many restaurants that want to expand Sunday brunch hours.
"I realized when the restaurants brought it to my attention, it seemed like there was a little bit of a fairness issue," District 10 council member Dave Sevigny told LEX 18 last week.
He said expanding hours on Sundays would provide a major economic benefit for some restaurants.
Olivia Morken, bartender and manager at East End Tap and Table on Main Street, said the restaurant is planning to extend its brunch hours thanks to the change.
"We wanted to open earlier but with alcohol sales being at 11, it didn't make much sense," Morken said.
Tap and Table is now planning to start opening at 10 a.m. on Sundays, starting as soon as just a few weeks from now.
"We usually have a line when we open up on Sundays, and sometimes Saturdays, so it'll be exciting when we open up a little earlier," she said.
The ordinance became effective immediately upon passage.
It specifically affects the sale of alcohol at establishments like restaurants and bars. Retail stores are not included in the change.
