Can someone work on getting the Lehigh Valley a beer garden?

by theelvee_w2oe3m

We usually think about the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board as a terribly outdated, horribly run state agency that takes away all of our boozy fun.  But, thanks to a hilariously loose interpretation of the state’s liquor code, Philadelphia has been running outdoor beer gardens for licenses that cost only $500.  The gist of it is that the beer gardens use a catering license obtained by a bar and use them to legally operate outdoor beer garden setups.  If you want all of the nitty gritty details of the loophole, head over to Don Russell’s Philly.com article from last summer.

This loophole, quite obviously, isn’t specific to Philadelphia.  Which means that someone, or multiple people, need to open these in the Lehigh Valley.  Now.  This spring, this summer.  We’re constantly, without fail, years behind the trend on everything from hookah bars to food trucks to vegan restaurants and the list goes on.  With how pissed some of the politicians, bar owners, and other people with the stake in the game seem to be at this little loophole, it’s sure to go away soon.  That means the time is nigh for it to be taken advantage of.

If there’s one thing that we can take away from Musikfest, Mayfair, Hop Fest, etc, it’s that the people of the Lehigh Valley like to drink, and they like to do it outdoors.  There’s some damn scenic places in the area that I would love to kick back and sip a Funk Citrus IPA or a Brew Works Hefeweizen without worrying about an open container citation.

This is an easy proposition.  There’s more than enough places for this to take place.  People like beer.  Bar owners and lot owners like money.  This is a win-win for everyone.  Someone, please, make it happen.

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6 comments

PennState April 23, 2015 - 11:32 pm

I got the $500 for the license!

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Will C April 24, 2015 - 11:20 am

The Maingate in Allentown used to have a beer garden. Now they have foam parties.

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PennState April 26, 2015 - 11:45 pm

We need one on the South Side of Bethlehem…

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T May 10, 2015 - 12:23 am

Agree completely…it doesn’t have to be a place as nice as something like Frankfort Hall in Fishtown….and really…it’s not knock your socks off there anyway. Just a nice three season venue. PennState has the $500…I promise I can put some asses in the seats. Make it happen people!

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MFG May 14, 2015 - 11:32 am

Yes please! I’ll go halfsies on the license. We need to make this happen.

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Pop Up Beer Garden in Bethlehem Tonight – The El Vee August 19, 2016 - 9:43 am

[…] good to see someone taking our suggestion from last year and making it happen:  there’s a pop-up beer garden happening in Bethlehem tonight, at the […]

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