This bill amends current New Jersey law to allow restaurants without liquor licenses to advertise that patrons may bring their own beer or wine (BYOB) for consumption on the premises. It removes the existing prohibition on such advertising, which previously classified it as a disorderly persons offense. The bill also permits these establishments to advertise the availability of certain wines for purchase from winery salesrooms located on their premises. This change is in response to a federal court ruling that deemed the prohibition on BYOB advertising unconstitutional under the First Amendment.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that while municipalities and restaurant operators can still prohibit the consumption of alcoholic beverages on their premises, they are now allowed to inform patrons about the BYOB option and the purchase of wines from on-site salesrooms. The amendments include specific legal language that outlines the rights of restaurant owners and the consequences for violations, reinforcing the legal framework for these changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 2C:33-27