Happy Hour is back, bringing more tax dollars to the states
It was born during Prohibition when men met at speakeasies for a few illegal drinks before going home to dinner.
After prohibition, many continued the habit, and Happy Hours were born. By the 1970s, bars across the country offered drink specials and low-cost buffet dinners for the after-work people.
It caused a backlash in the 1980s when organizations launched awareness campaigns about binge drinking and driving under the influence.
According to Bloomberg Businessweek, two or three decades after that, states like Illinois approved of the drinking and dining events that brought more tax dollars to state treasuries.
Restaurant owners say Happy Hour mostly attracts people in the 21-34 age group. They don't come in wanting dinner, but after a few drinks, they get hungry and many will pay up to $40 for a steak dinner.
The inexpensive Happy Hour buffets are gone and the fried food has been replaced by higher-quality, more innovative options that cost more.
States benefit from the taxes.
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