Washington State

Office of the Attorney General

Attorney General

Bob Ferguson

AGO 1978 NO. 27 >

(1) The Washington State Liquor Control Board does not have the authority, under existing law, to restrict the on-premise sale of liquor by state licensees ". . . to customers who are seated at a table and also consuming food . . ." based upon a finding that a cocktail lounge or bar-type atmosphere would be compatible or disruptive to adjacent land uses.  (2) A city may not, in the exercise of its police power, impose conditions or restrictions upon restaurant liquor licensees limiting the service of liquor for on-premise consumption to seated customers consuming food because such an ordinance would conflict with certain provisions of the state liquor code.