City of Boston Licensing Board approves motion to amend regulations to allow for BYOB

The City of Boston's Licensing Board unanimously voted yesterday to amend their rules and regulations to allow BYOB in Boston.

"I see this as an opportunity to bring increased economic activity to neighborhoods across Boston and I thank the Licensing Board for taking up this measure that has great potential to make a positive impact on our city's economic growth," said Mayor Walsh. "I look forward to reviewing the revised regulations that will be put forth by the Licensing Board in the coming months."  

Current regulations prohibit patrons from bringing any alcoholic beverages for their own consumption onto the premise of any licensed establishment.

"Yesterday's vote is an exciting step forward as the Licensing Board officially sanctioned BYOB dining in Boston," said City Council President Michelle Wu. "BYOB will bring new vitality to our city by giving small business owners and consumers more options to build a vibrant restaurant scene in every neighborhood."  

As part of the next steps, the Board in the coming months will draft stringent rules to regulate the practice of BYOB and will schedule a public hearing at which community members can voice their opinions on the matter.

At the end of 2015 the City Council passed and Mayor Walsh signed an ordinance to allow for BYOB to be considered by the Licensing Board in Boston.