by Jon Styf
Selling alcohol at bars starting at 8 a.m. on Sundays, the same as other days of the week, is under consideration in the Tennessee Legislature and being pushed by the NFL Titans.
The bill would require a city that has approved liquor-by-the-drink sales by referendum to pass an ordinance to allow alcohol sales earlier than the current 10 a.m. on Sundays.
Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Nashville, said House Bill 1872 was proposed by the Tennessee Titans related to Nashville and international National Football League games.
“We have a lot of international games that start very early and people want to go watch their teams play and enjoy a bloody Mary or mimosa,” Freeman said.
House Bill 1672 passed the Departments and Agencies Subcommittee this week and is scheduled to be heard in the State Government Committee on Wednesday.
“So you’re saying it’s 5 o’clock somewhere?” Freeman was asked in the subcommittee.
“Yes sir, I am, in London,” Freeman responded.
The Titans played in London in 2018 and 2023.
European games in the NFL, and there are four in 2024, have not been announced but the franchises designated as “home team” are set. The Titans are the guests of two of them – the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears. Full schedules will be released in the spring.
The Senate State and Local Government Committee is set to hear companion Senate Bill 1800 on Tuesday.
The bill would require the Metro Nashville’s council to pass an ordinance moving alcohol sales earlier as well.
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Jon Styf is an award-winning editor and reporter of The Center Square who has worked in Illinois, Texas, Wisconsin, Florida and Michigan in local newsrooms over the past 20 years, working for Shaw Media, Hearst and several other companies.
