Laurrapin's River City Public House Gets New Liquor License

HAVRE DE GRACE, MD — The Laurrapin River City Public House will be able to sell liquor in addition to beer and wine, starting Thursday. Members of the Harford County Liquor Control Board approved the business owner's request Wednesday for a change in liquor license.

When restaurateur Bruce Clarke opened the eatery on North Washington Street this winter, he said he planned to sell upscale tavern food as well as beer and wine.

At a hearing where he was granted a license to sell beer and wine in February, he told the board he intended to return in about six months to ask for permission to sell liquor.

To get the on-sale beer, wine and liquor license, an establishment has to have had a beer and wine license for six months; serve two full-course meals five days a week; have seating for 60 people; sell more food (at least 51 percent) than alcohol; and pay an annual license fee of $500, according to the Harford County Liquor Control Board.

At the Oct. 7 meeting, he asked for his license to be upgraded to include beer, wine and liquor.

So far, food sales have accounted for 87 percent of sales at Laurrapin River City Public House, while alcohol sales have been 13 percent, Clarke said.

The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and has seating for 100 but has not seated more than 60 people, according to Clarke.

"We would be in full operation had it not been for COVID," Clarke said.

Restaurants can have indoor dining at 75 percent capacity as of Sept. 18, based on the governor's executive order.

Going forward, Clarke said hours will be 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. or midnight Tuesday to Saturday.

Laurrapin River City Public House is at 209 North Washington Street.

See Also: Laurrapin River City Public House Opens In Havre de Grace