Salon visits often start with offers of coffee, tea, or water. In California, clients can now legally enjoy a complimentary beer or glass of wine too. This popular practice was already common but kept under the radar due to prior restrictions.
Effective January 1, 2017, a new California law permits beauty salons, hairdressers, and barbers to serve free beer or wine without a liquor license. Servings are capped at 35cl for beer and about 18cl for wine—roughly one large glass. Salons and clients have embraced the change, but groups like the California Alcohol Policy Alliance criticize it as favoring alcohol industry interests over public health and safety. Fears of increased underage drinking persist, yet Governor Jerry Brown approved the bill into law.
