Cheers! New law allows alcohol consumption at community pools

A party at an Annandale pool. [Ella M. Photography]

You’ll be able to bring a beer for happy hour and enjoy a margarita legally at your community pool this summer.

You probably didn’t even know pools need a banquet license from the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority every time a pool allowed alcohol on the premises. And it’s not like the rule was heavily enforced.

A bill passed by the Virginia House and Senate (HB 1520) last week provides an exception to the ABC rule. Beginning July 1, private swim clubs operated by a nonprofit corporation or association can allow its members to bring lawfully acquired alcoholic beverages and consume them at the pool.

Even Virginia Sen. Scott Surovell, who spoke in favor of the bill on the Senate floor, didn’t know about the ABC rule. “I have been a member of the Mount Vernon Park Association since I was four-years old in 1975,” he writes in his Dixie Pig blog. “As an adult, we’ve often used their picnic facilities to cook out and drink a bottle of wine.  I was surprised when, this year, I found out that was illegal!”

“I am proud that my constituents can now continue to drink alcohol at their swim clubs (subject to club rules) without fear of prosecution!” Surovell states.