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Bar owner asks council to reconsider city rule barring minors from bars; staff proposes work session
Summary
A Riverton bar owner asked the council to reconsider city restrictions that bar minors from licensed premises unless food sales exceed alcohol sales or a commercial kitchen is present; staff and council suggested a work session to review the ordinance and seek business input.
Jason Hawk, owner/operator of a local establishment, addressed the council during public comment to request review of Riverton’s ordinance that restricts minors in bars. Hawk said the rule has curtailed family‑oriented “family night” events at his venue and that the policy’s requirement—whereby persons under 21 may remain if a restaurant’s primary source of revenue is food rather than alcohol—can restrict legitimate business models and deter daytime or lunch service.
Administrative Services Director Ms. Harris and other council members cited the applicable municipal code sections during the discussion and confirmed this is a city ordinance rather than a state law. Harris identified the code section cited in the discussion as “section 5.04 0.02, Section F 1 and 2” and further referenced ordinance 9.1601 concerning unlawful presence of minors in bars. Council members suggested staff schedule a work session to study how other Wyoming communities treat minors in bars, evaluate hours/conditions and solicit input from bar owners and affected businesses.
The council did not vote on policy changes at the meeting; members directed staff to convene a workshop and invite local business owners and stakeholders to provide input before any ordinance revision.
