Extended Bar Hours

Bars, Customers pleased with extended hours

Days tested positive.

This morning -- you're taking a live look over huntsville, where bars across the city -- and state -- finished up a busy weekend!

That's after the alcoholic beverage control board lifted restrictions on bars and restaurants where they had to stop selling alcohol past 11.

Waay 31's ashley carter joins us live in downtown huntsville with how local bar managers are feeling after their first weekend with the restriction lifted.

Ashley?

Bar managers told us they are breathing a sigh of relief and that's because they saw a lot more business this weekend.

They said it's something they've been waiting for.

Several bar managers told us this weekend was a benchmark on the road to recovery after months of ups and downs.

They said their regular customers are restaurant and service industry members who were unable to come in when alcohol sales had to be cut off early.

One bar co-owner told us having those customers back this weekend was a big boost in their sales mike roberts - co-owner, sportspage lounge "by may, we weren't sure if we were gonna make it or not, max.

So i think all of us, every single bar and restaurant in this city and every employee at them felt the same sense of urgency, for something to give."

Roberts says this weekend has made an immediate impact and was a step in the right direction.

Bar managers told us they feel like the next step is being able to operate at full capacity and easing social distancing restrictions.

Live in hsv ashley c waay