Scratch That; Bottomless Brunches ARE Legal After All. Thank Goodness.

In the only news you really need to hear today, it turns out that news of the demise of the so-called “bottomless brunch” was wrong and you are now safe to get totally sloshed at your brunch this weekend.

PRAISE THE ALCOHOL GODS. News of the loss of “bottomless brunches” (a brunch where you can get infinite refills of your fine booze selection) in New York, crushed souls throughout the city.

Business Insider looked into the story a little bit more and found out your bottomless brunches aren’t in jeopardy after all:

A little-known New York State law that prohibits unlimited drinks made waves this week when outlets began reporting that bottomless brunches are illegal. Understandably, people were upset. How can New York’s favorite weekend pastime be against the law? Thankfully, it’s not.

The story was in reference to N.Y. 117-A Unlimited drink offerings prohibited law,
which was created at least five years ago in response to complaints of
over-serving and intoxication at bars, NYC Hospitality Alliance counsel
Robert Bookman told us.

That law states “selling, serving, delivering or offering to
patrons an unlimited number of drinks during any set period of time for a
fixed price.” The whole thing came about when the New York City Hospitality Alliance put up a notice saying , “NYC restaurant and nightlife
operators should familiarize themselves with the law.” But don’t worry! the New York State Liquor Association
(SLA) says brunches don’t fall under this law because they are “events.” Yes, that is the second good news to come out of this—your drunken brunch with your in-laws one a month is now a special “event.” Awesome.

Here’s what Business Insider found under the SLA’s rules about brunches:

Serving unlimited drinks to a patron is
prohibited under the Alcoholic Beverage Control law, and instances of
over serving by our licensees will be investigated and prosecuted.
However, there is a limited exception in the statute when the
service of alcohol is incidental to the event, such as in the case of
certain brunch specials. Even under these limited exceptions,
licensees still have a legal obligation not to over serve patrons. The
SLA will continue to take a balanced regulatory approach by allowing
licensees to conduct specials where alcohol is an accompaniment, while
simultaneously cracking down on specials that promote excessive
drinking.

Basically, don’t overserve your sloppy drunk patrons, restaurants and bars—not for brunch, lunch, breakfast, dinner or “lunnerfast,” a meal I made up to describe the meal I eat at IHOP at 3 a.m. when I’m in the mood for a burger, pancakes and maybe a little T-bone steak.

So you hear that, everyone? NOW GO GET DRUNK AT BRUNCH ON SUNDAY, YOU DRUNKS, YOU.