Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Cuomo Calls For Boozing In Restaurants & Bars On Sunday Mornings
By
Nell Casey
Published May 19, 2016
Modified Apr 4, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Nell Casey
Published May 19, 2016
Modified Apr 4, 2018
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Governor Cuomo has listened to the advice of his specially-appointed panel regarding archaic blue laws that prohibit alcohol sales on Sunday mornings. Speaking from a brewery in Rochester yesterday, the Governor announced a proposed set of bills that would allow restaurants and bars to sell alcohol before noon on Sundays. If passed by the legislation, New York could start getting tipsy with their morning bagel, as early as 8 a.m.
"The law was created 80 years ago right after prohibition," Cuomo said from the brewery. "It is the most bizarre, arcane, frustrating, maddening law that you could imagine." Similar religiously-based blue laws, such as allowing liquor stores to operate on Sundays, have been repealed in the state in the past decades.
While erasing an archaic law from the books seems like an easy way to score points with the public, the motivation behind the move has a narrower focus. The panel's main argument for increased alcohol flow centered on sporting events, specifically special American football games played abroad (and broadcast on Sunday mornings in the States) and European soccer games being broadcast live from their respective countries.
The legislation concludes its annual session next month, where it'll vote on whether or not we can all be trusted to booze responsibly in the morning.
Tagged
alcohol
blue laws
brunch
Cuomo
day drinking
sundays
Nell Casey
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .