Massachusetts liquor license laws make no sense

I don't know about other states but Massachusetts liquor license laws make no sense.

I went out with some co-workers and floor mates last night to the Salty Pig. Apparently you need a reservation to sit anywhere in the place but they allowed us to sit at a table until a party arrived at 6:30. We vacate that table at 6:30 and decide to go sit outside on the little patio area. The second we sit down someone comes over to tell us that we have to order food if we are drinking outside.

Um what? This is a new one. We could drink with no food inside but once we go outside we have to order food to drink? We asked if we could sit for two minutes to finish our drinks and were told no. We must have had this look on our faces because she quickly said "it's just the law, sorry." We had a plan though. We would look at the menu and then bail once we finished our drinks.

Two minutes later the hostess comes over (a different woman) and tells us that we couldn't sit outside and drink without food. We told her we were waiting for menus. She was a bit snippy with us but went off to get menus since the other woman hadn't returned yet.

I've encountered places that serve beer but you have to order food with it. I've also encountered places that only have a beer and wine license. Bottle service and happy hour are things of the past in Massachusetts. This is the first time though that the rules change when you're in the same restaurant.

We think the reason is that the patio area is in pedestrian walkway owned by the city. They must have made some type of deal to set up the patio in the summer and this was the result. Can businesses just start putting up signs letting us know what they can and can't serve and if you have to order food and if the rules change because you stepped onto a patio?

I won't even get into the racket that is selling liquor licenses. People sell them for insane amounts of money because the city severely limits the amount of licenses available. Someone who buys a restaurant might not open when it's ready because they are waiting on a liquor license. I've heard that they might be lifting the cap on the number of liquor licenses which I think is needed. Ok I guess I did get into it...

In case you're wondering we did carefully look at our menus and then bailed once we finished our drinks. (Don't worry the drinks were already paid for). I felt kind of bad because I am a goody two-shoes. I got over it very quickly though. I'm a rebel

25th Floor Drinking Team at the Salty Pig

Every once in a while all the businesses that reside on the 25th floor meetup after work for some food and drinks (mostly drinks). We complain about the companies that work on the other floors and try to guess the names of the other people who work on our floor but don't make it out.

Last night we met up at The Salty Pig. When we first walked in the place was empty. We were put into a corner as we were told there was going to be a large party arriving later that would take up half of the small restaurant. It is the season for work parties and the like so there's not much you can do about that.

Here's a picture of the very empty restaurant when we first arrived.

I've never eaten at the Salty Pig due to it's unusual menu (at least to me) of "salty pig parts". This is not a vegetarian's ideal restaurant. I'm not a vegetarian but reading the words "salty pig parts" makes me a little queasy. Elizabeth took charge and ordered us some good sampler platters and a yummy white pizza.

Fried egg on a pizza? Weird but not bad.

The meats were actually very good and not gross at all. I don't know what I was expecting really but I was pleasantly surprised and full of salty pork and beer by the end of the night.

I think my favorite thing at the Salty Pig is the little notebook that comes with your check. Customers just write or draw whatever they feel like and I spent at least 10 minutes flipping through and laughing.

Pretty good Simpsons drawing if you ask me. A bit like the early era Simpsons.

Sad times my piggy friend. I'm sorry for eating pork! :(

Our contribution (mostly, my contribution with Justin adding the belly button to the pig).

The bathrooms of the Salty Pig were covered with comics. I LOVED it. Who doesn't want to read some comics when you're sitting down for a wee.

Here is your favorite Boston blogger taking the all important bathroom selfie.

I'm lucky to have such fun people that work on my floor. We don't actually work together and yet we see one another everyday in the halls, elevators and bathroom so it's nice to actually meetup and hang out. We're thinking of planning a floor party in January in one of the offices.

Today is going to be a long day my friends, but at least I know I do not suffer alone.