Anna Maria Island OKs Liquor Licenses

Anna Maria Island restaurants that now serve beer and wine will be allowed to serve mixed drinks and liquor, under a new ordinance adopted by city leaders.

Restaurants that are granted special liquor permits will be able to sell liquor and mixed drinks between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.

The Islander is reporting that restaurants meeting certain conditions will be able to apply for a permit.

Those conditions include:

• The restaurant must have had a wine and beer license for at least five years.
• The license must be "in good standing."
• A license to serve liquor must first be obtained from the state before the city will grant a local permit.

According to the Islander, the state regulates the number of liquor licenses issued per county each year. Manatee County restaurants applying to the state for a liquor license pay a minimum of $160,000 for the license.

Do you think city leaders should now allow the sale of mixed drinks and liquor, or should restaurants have continued to be limited to wine and beer sales? Let us know in the comments below.

Are you looking for a restaurant on Anna Maria Island or in the greater Bradenton area? Bradenton.Patch.com has a business directory of area restaurants.

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