03.17.2026 Advocates pouring on pressure for state alcohol reform
ALBANY — On Friday, the day before the city’s St. Patrick’s Day parade would bring thousands of celebrants downtown to McGeary’s Pub and other bars and restaurants, McGeary’s owner Tess Collins discovered a liquor distributor’s delivery did not include the Jack Daniel’s whiskey she had ordered.
A new state law that took effect just a week prior saved Collins from the choice of disappointing customers by not having a preferred spirit or potentially running afoul of the State Liquor Authority if she, like any member of the public, went to a liquor store to buy more. That’s because, prior to March 5, purchasing wine or spirits from liquor stores was illegal for bars and restaurants; it had to come from a distributor.