Newport mayor asks bars to start serving later for St. Patty’s Day Parade

By: Samantha Lavien
Slavien@abc6.com
Twitter: @SLavienABC6

Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano is asking liquor license holders not to serve alcohol before 11 am on Saturday for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

“I do understand where she is coming from, but from a business point of view we’ve had a very difficult winter and every restaurant business in town is weighed down and this is one of the ways that we support ourselves,” said Gayle Walsh the bar manager at One Pelham East.

Walsh says the request doesn’t effect her restaurant.

“For us that’s actually normal we don’t open our doors ever before 11 o’clock,” said Walsh.

But, other bars are still planning to open up early.

Brick Alley Pub will open their doors at 8 am. And, Midtown Oyster Bar’s General Manager, Charlie Holder, says they’ll be ready for business at 10.

“I know she understands that we have a business to run and we’re well in our right to start serving alcohol in the morning,” said Holder.

During last year’s parade nearly 90 people were arrested. The mayor’s request is aimed at making the event more family friendly.

“Parade day is a very long day and there’s plenty of opportunities for people to have all the beer that they wish to drink,” said Newport resident Tim Lynch.

The mayor did say her request was not referring to restaurants that serve Bloody Mary’s with breakfast, but rather bars that only serve drinks.

(C) WLNE 2015