Legislative Tracking

Self Service Alcohol Coolers in Hotels

Regulations Regarding Self Service Alcohol Coolers in Hotels

The Connecticut Lodging Association has had a number of recent meetings with Liquor Control to respond to requests for clarification on the self service of alcohol in hotels. The following is a summary of the regulations and interpretation by the Commissioner. The bottom line is that you can set up a self-service cooler for guests in the lobby area.

* The Sale or dispensing - may be self-service - sale or delivery of the alcoholic beverage must be limited to (1) drink as defined in section 30-6-A24b(a) (1) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies for his or her own consumption at any one time as restricted in section 30-6-A24b (b) of the regulations of CT State Agencies.

* Location of cooler must be in sight of the front desk (the hotel must control this cooler.) Hotel must have the ability to lock the cooler after legal hours of sale.

* The Sale or delivery of such alcoholic beverage may only take place during the legal hours of sale as defined in section 30-91(a) of the CT State Statutes.

Sec. 30-91. Hours and days of closing. Exemption. (a) The sale or the dispensing or consumption or the presence in glasses or other receptacles suitable to permit the consumption of alcoholic liquor by an individual in places operating under hotel permits, restaurant permits, cafe permits, restaurant permits for catering establishments, bowling establishment permits, racquetball facility permits, club permits, coliseum permits, coliseum concession permits, special sporting facility restaurant permits, special sporting facility employee recreational permits, special sporting facility guest permits, special sporting facility concession permits, special sporting facility bar permits, golf country club permits, nonprofit public museum permits, university permits, airport restaurant permits, airport bar permits, airport airline club permits, tavern permits, a manufacturer permit for a brew pub, casino permits, caterer liquor permits and charitable organization permits shall be unlawful on: (1) Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday between the hours of one o'clock a.m. and nine o'clock a.m.;
(2) Saturday between the hours of two o'clock a.m. and nine o'clock a.m.; (3) Sunday between the hours of two o'clock a.m. and eleven o'clock a.m.; (4) Christmas, except (A) for alcoholic liquor that is served where food is also available during the hours otherwise permitted by this section for the day on which Christmas falls, and (B) by casino permittees at casinos, as defined in section 30-37k; and (5) January first between the hours of three o'clock a.m. and nine o'clock a.m., except that on any Sunday that is January first the prohibitions of this section shall be between the hours of three o'clock a.m. and eleven o'clock a.m.

* Individuals at the front desk responsible for oversight of the self service cooler must be certified by a recognized safe service of alcohol program and be at least 18 years of age.

* Guest must show valid hotel Key.

* Signage must be posted advising customers that alcoholic liquor may not leave the hotel premises.