Alcohol coming to smaller Delaware restaurants

Smaller Delaware restaurants will now be allowed to apply for a liquor license under a bill signed into law Monday.

Delaware Governor Jack Markell signed House Bill 16 at the Mediterranean Grille in Newark Monday afternoon. The law changes the definition of a restaurant under state law to allow for smaller restaurants to serve alcohol with meals.

Previously, a restaurant was defined as an establishment with seating for 35 or more people. That blocked smaller eateries that had seating for fewer than 35 from applying for a liquor license as a restaurant.

The measure Markell signed Monday defines a restaurant as an establishment with seating for at least 12 people. In January, the bill was approved by the Delaware House in a 35-5 vote. It passed the Senate unanimously.