Drink Up: New Yorkers Could See Change In Sunday Blue Laws

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- New Yorkers could soon be enjoying a boozier Sunday brunch.

CBS2's Vanessa Murdock reported Thursday that changes have been recommended to Sunday Blue Laws which bars booze from being served between 4 a.m. and noon.

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Law was enacted in 1934, just after prohibition ended. Lukus Hasenstab, who owns Penelope in Murray Hill, said it's not always easy explaining this law to patrons who are looking for a drink before noon during Sunday brunch.

"When they're looking at you and want a Bloody Mary and you tell them they can only have coffee, you don't want to keep it long," Hasenstab said.

New Yorkers said they were shocked they were not allowed to drink before noon on a Sunday while out for brunch.

"It's a little disappointing. I think of brunch at 11 and I would love a mimosa around 11 o'clock," Deanna Iovine said.

Alexis Stack said, "I was like what do you mean you can't serve me before noon?"

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he wanted to know how to improve liquor laws, so he formed the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law Working Group. They just released their full report, which included two ways to modernize blue laws – either make it legal statewide to serve at 8 a.m., or offer permits to allow service before noon.

"I haven't gone through them enough to have an opinion yet," Cuomo said.

Ebenezer Smith, district manager for Community Board Twelve who was part of Cuomo's working group, said he does not support the change "for the potential disadvantage and negative impact on the community."

Smith added that "having the current eight-hour cooling off period on Sunday may invite problem drinkers and other at-risk individuals to overindulge."

Cuomo also said that he will be looking at the recommendations and making a legislative proposal.