The Oklahoma House wants to liberalize state liquor laws by legalizing “bottle service” in “club suites.”

Proponents claim it will boost tourism as visitors have more opportunity to drink alcohol.

House Bill 2651, authored by Rep. Ajay Pittman, D-Oklahoma City, passed by a 90-9 House vote. It provides a definition of “bottle service” as used in the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Control Act to mean the sale and provision of spirits in their original packages by a mixed beverage licensee to be consumed in that mixed beverage licensee’s club suite. 

“This legislation is more about economic development than alcohol,” Pittman said.

The measure provides a definition of “club suite” to mean a designated area within the premises of a mixed beverage licensee as an exclusive space.  The measure allows a mixed beverage license holder to sell spirits in a club suite.

 “The new bill allows for the State of Oklahoma to be able to compete with major states that allow bottle service in hopes to keep tourism revenue here in Oklahoma as well as bring future potential revenue,” said Chris Byram, Rogers Concepts.  “If passed, this bill will help to make our current venues stronger and will also make our state attractive to major out of state corporations looking to bring better economic development to Oklahoma.”

House Bill 2651 now moves to the Senate chamber for consideration. Sen. George Young, Sr., D-Oklahoma City, is the Senate Author of this bill. 

“I am so pleased to be part of the process of Rep. Pittman moving legislation to statue and making a positive impact on our community.” said Young.

Pittman claims that the success of this bill will also promote revenue in Oklahoma and help retain jobs that tend to be overlooked in this industry.

“We’re always in a competition with other states for residents and visitors who expect the same entertainment options they find in other places,” said Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt. “Sometimes that means modernizing our laws to allow consumers to have freedom of choice and entrepreneurs to explore business models that are popular around the country.”