Leisure: Last Call for Happy Hour

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"Come in a car, leave in a coma." So read a Nebraska bar's ad for its happy hour, that afterwork party time when saloons sell spirits at a discount. But with concern growing that happy hours may lead to driving deaths, an increasing number of states are barring barroom discounts.

Ten states already have happy-hour laws on the books, and one law, a Massachusetts regulation that bans discount incentives at any hour, has become a model for other states. Altogether, about half the states are considering taking some kind of action or toughening up existing laws.

One result is that free food, an inducement from the old days, is making a comeback as an alcohol absorber. Instead of simply getting blotto, early evening patrons can load up on appetizers. Many owners are glad to see happy hours on the wane, because the competitive discounting drains profits. Also, says one Boston barkeep, "nobody likes to deal with drunks."