NORTHAMPTON – Brunchgoers at Sylvester’s Restaurant have long requested Bloody Marys with their meal – and their wish may soon be granted.
The Northampton License Commission on Wednesday approved a full alcohol license for the business, which currently serves just beer and wine. The license now awaits state approval from the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission.
Co-owner Peter St. Martin said because the restaurant does not sell a lot of alcohol, it never made sense for them to purchase a $150,000 license.
“We’d have to sell a lot of Bloody Marys to make that back,” he said with a laugh.
But that situation changed in May when four new licenses were allowed by special state legislation. Four Northampton restaurants applied for those licenses – Ibiza Tapas, Local Burger, Sierra Grille and Sylvester’s.
Sierra Grille is actively using their license, while those of Ibiza Tapas and Local Burger are in the process. The annual fee for those all-alcohol restaurant licenses is $2,259, according to the city.
In the past, other restaurateurs have paid as much as six figures for full alcohol licenses.
Lack of a full alcohol serving has also precluded the business from expanding hours into the evening, said St. Martin. They are currently open 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., seven days a week.
Diners might have interest in later afternoon and early evening hours at Sylvester’s, St. Martin said. If the license is state-approved, he will look at that possibility.
“After all these year, we’re just grateful to the city,” St. Martin said. The business has been open since 1983 and has had a wine and malt license for about 12 years.
Sarah Crosby can be reached at scrosby@gazettenet.com.