The definition of happy hour is about to change in Alberta.

The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission has eliminated 8:00 p.m. limit which allows licensed bars and restaurants to offer reduced drink prices at any time during operating hours.

“Anytime you can save a buck or two on a drink it’s good,” says Nhut Nhan.

“It helps right now with the economy,” says John Iglesias. “Any chance we can save money and do it especially on some beers is good.”

The AGCL says this change gives liquor licensees more flexibility in managing drink specials and will better support the shared social responsibility and public safety obligations.

Dicken’s Pub along 9 Avenue Southwest currently offers happy hour pricing from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The general manager expects this move will help improve her business.

“Our busiest time right now is that 4:00 to 6:00 period when people are getting off work,” says Samantha Grainger. “If we can offer something to bring people in a little bit later that will definitely increase our business; we can start doing lunch specials and build more business.”

The NDP MLA for Calgary-Shaw, Graham Sucha, agrees,” You have to recognize different peak times for different establishments and you want to make sure that you encourage those businesses to have those opportunities to build their revenue.”

“The AGLC strives to make sure our policies support progressive business environments, are in the public interest, and, ultimately, help us deliver on our promise to provide choices Albertans can trust,” says AGLC President and CEO Bill Robinson. “We recognized the 8 p.m. limit on ‘happy hours’ was not meeting these objectives and, as a result, the limit was eliminated. The new policy responds to industry’s needs and is better aligned with our social responsibility mandate.”

However, Mothers Against Drunk Driving is worried the cheaper prices will entice people to have four or five drinks rather than just one or two.

“We’re not against drinking. We’re against people driving after drinking,” says Tracy Franklin. “Dropping the price makes us worried because it gives the availability for people to sit and drink a lot longer, at a lot cheaper price, and then do they make the proper decision at the end of the night about how they’re getting home?”

The 8:00 p.m. limit was introduced in 2008 and the AGLC says minimum drink prices for liquor consumed on-premises and a limit on the number of drinks a patron can order or possess after 1 a.m. will both remain unchanged and in effect.

The Alberta Safer Bars Council, a policy advisory group with membership from liquor industry associations, individual licensees and law enforcement, supports this policy change.