Eskimo Joe's Making Changes Ahead Of New Liquor Law

Businesses in Oklahoma are gearing up for October 1st, when liquor laws will take effect. But some restaurant say they're having to give up tradition. 

Eskimo Joe's is a staple in Oklahoma when it comes to locally owned restaurants. But due to the liquor law changes, one of their most well known traditions will be no more. 

"Free Keg Fridays" is exactly what you would expect. But the free beer won't be an option under new liquor laws in Oklahoma. 

"It just wont be free beer anymore, because free beer is no longer going to be available," said Director of restaurant operations, Robert Williams. 

The new law says you have to charge at least six percent over your costs, so giving away free beer will be illegal. 

But more than anything, the new laws will change how restaurants, bars, stores and other establishments selling beer and liquor will go about acquiring it. 

"It's going to be different in that we have to buy from multiple places rather than possibly one or two. And certain companies will only have certain products," said Williams. 

But folks at Eskimo Joe's are staying optimistic, saying they look forward to the opportunities the new laws will give them.

"We'll be able to do a lot more happy hours, a lot more promotions across the board. As before, we could only do promotions with 3.2 beer,"  said Williams. 

Happy hour of liquor and high-point beer were previously illegal under state law. 

The team at Eskimo Joe's say they have spoken with other local bars and restaurants, and they seem to agree that there are more positives than negatives. And Joe's staff says they also plan to come up with a new promotion for Friday's to make up for the loss.