Cheers to Early Sunday Cocktails in Red Bank

Call it a spirited move.

If you feel like having "spirits," as Red Bank Mayor Pat Menna called them in the spirit of the affected day, you may now order them before 11 a.m. in a restaurant or bar in town on Sundays.

The governing body made it so at Wednesday night's meeting.

The ban of drinks before 11, which was archaic, Menna said, was an ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) never-on-a-Sunday law that was one that just never changed with the times.

It dated back to the days when many businesses were closed on the religious day of rest.

But, no one's trying to keep anyone from church by allowing people to have a cocktail two hours earlier than usual  on Sunday, the mayor said, especially when they can purchase alcohol at a store earlier.

It really amounts to what's fair and logical, Menna said. "You can go over to Spirits Unlimited and get a six-pack of beer at 9 a.m. on a Sunday, but you can't go to a restaurant for brunch and order a 'spirit'. It just doesn't make any sense."

Now, he said, all week long people will be able to imbibe starting at 9 a.m.

Council members joked with their own "Cheers!" to early spirits on Sunday.