Pool and beer now allowed together
A beer ordinance signed into law in 1986 prohibiting the sale, distribution or consumption of beer at dance or pool halls in McMinnville city limits was changed last summer.
The ordinance stated no sale, distribution or consumption of beer would occur at “places where pool or billiards are played, or at any place where dancing is allowed or permitted.”
That law was changed by officials in early June, 2001. It revised the old section of the law and replaced it with wording that reads no sale, distribution or consumption of such beverages will be made at “places where dancing is allowed or permitted.”
The change is being noted now due to a recent editorial in the Southern Standard that questioned the law which said it was illegal to shoot pool or dance and drink beer in the same place. City Administrator Herb Llewellyn took exception to the editorial so the Standard is making the new ordinance clear.
In short, it is still illegal to dance where beer is sold, but it is no longer illegal to shoot pool. Last year’s revision also notes a prohibition of loud music where beer is sold and states “no music or obnoxious noise shall be allowed in any place where beer is sold or distributed.”