If there’s anyone who could use a drink, it’s someone living in the state of Minnesota — and seniors don’t want to be left out.
Anita LeBrum, a resident of Amira Choice in Chaplin, Minnesota, testified in favor of a bill that would allow nursing homes and assisted living facilities to hold happy hours without having to acquire a liquor license.
“My friends and I love happy hour just like many of you do, I am sure,” LeBrum said.
“Just because we are older and live in assisted living doesn’t mean that we should have fewer freedoms than anyone else…
“Allowing our facility to coordinate this happy hour affords us and our families the peace of mind that we can enjoy life, but not be out slipping on the ice to stop and get our box of wine.”
WATCH: Minnesotan Anita LeBrun testifies in favor of a bill to allow nursing homes to hold happy hour events without a liquor license
“My friends and I love happy hour just like many of you do I am sure.”
“Just because we are older and live in assisted living doesn’t mean… pic.twitter.com/MZWkRvHq3B
— Alpha News (@AlphaNews) March 12, 2026
The bill sponsored by Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman was introduced at the beginning of March and remains active, but is not advancing in the Minnesota Legislature.
Judging from the majority of responses on X, most folks would like to see it advanced “straight-up” to a celebratory happy hour.
Democrats won’t pass this bill unless there are ballot harvests at every happy hour prefilled with their DFL choices, signed and dated.
— JillJMusings (@JJ7854) March 12, 2026
Pretend it is high school and just sneak a jug into the place and play cards off to the side.
— Uncle Cyrus (@UncleCyrus1) March 12, 2026
Give them the Dew Drop Inn! They already spent so much money in some of these dumps. At this point, let them have it. I’ve worked in far too many of these places where people are lonely, and this is a way for them to congregate and celebrate.
— Long Cool Woman (@rachelraisanen) March 12, 2026
In Minnesota, taxpayers can be robbed blind by foreign nationals, but those old folks can’t have a glass of wine?
— KayDreamer (@kaydreamer11) March 11, 2026
Crazy, right?
There were a few folks who weren’t so keen on the idea:
Ehhhhh. Idk. I don’t think putting our elders in an altered state of mind is really a great choice.
— Polar Gno (@MNpolar1) March 12, 2026
I don’t think our elders should be consuming alcohol after taking 30 medications and on oxygen.
— Polar Gno (@MNpolar1) March 12, 2026
I completely understand this for the residents but also think about what this creates for employees. A whole new set of potential health complications, drama, and increased physical care needs. First time a resident gets hurt, or dies incoming lawsuit.
— Kat (@Katheee001) March 11, 2026
But, by-and-large, the seniors who are fighting for their right to party are vehemently supported.
They might be old, but they are adults. Let them have their booze.
— MOMof DataRepublican (@data_republican) March 12, 2026
We used to do this in the nursing home. Just needed doc permission so we had no adverse med interactions. And fall risk patients got non alcoholic.
— Holly (@foreveralone11w) March 11, 2026
See? It can be responsibly done.
Assisted living isn’t prison. It’s not even a nursing facility. It’s not hospice. Let em do what they want. These people raised a lot of us. Happy Hour, I say!
— JL67 (@dualpatriot67) March 12, 2026
Cheers!
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