Some Massachusetts restaurant owners saw the return of Happy Hour as an opportunity. Others saw it as a liability.

“My view is to let people do what they want,” he said Jimmy LiangCEO of Mason’s Steakhouse and Niveaux Patisserie in Quincy.

“This gives them another tool to help them get more done, and overall I think that’s a good thing. But I will be careful that people need to be responsible.”

Liang is also the chairman and founder. JP Fuji GroupThere are restaurants in the Boston area, including the South End, Cambridge and Somerville.

Liang believes Happy Hours will encourage people to go out and spend more money; Stop by for an after-work drink or an afternoon cocktail.

“(As a result) when people spend money, local economies are good, state economy is good, tourism is good, all those things,” Liang said. “I think this is just one of many ways to encourage people to get outside more.”

But he won’t have a chance to find out.

This is because language The company, which would have brought Happy Hour back to the Bay State for the first time in 40 years, was removed from a compromise economic development bill scheduled for a vote on Beacon Hill on Thursday.

“It is disappointing to see this measure not moving forward. But in the future, I am hopeful that we will see support for the safe and responsible return of happy hours that respects both public safety and the needs of our small businesses,” said Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Cape & Islands. It sponsored the proposal, it said in a statement.

• Read more: Off the Menu: ‘Happy Hour’ proposed return isn’t causing disruption on Beacon Hill

Cyr’s offer debuted in JulyIt would allow businesses with liquor licenses to “sell spirits or alcohol at a discounted price as approved by the city or town.”

Cyr also touched on the hit local restaurants and bars have taken since the Covid-19 outbreak and how the bill could “bring back foot traffic and strengthen our high streets and town centres”.

Liang echoed that sentiment, saying “life hasn’t been the same” since the outbreak. He said Happy Hours would bring community revitalization to Massachusetts.

“People aren’t going out. People are still not fully at work, which impacts both our lunch and dinner business and our business in general,” he said. “I think lifting this ban will allow people to socialize a little more, go out a little bit, hopefully entice them a little more.”

• Read more: The New Revs stadium is being moved to the lower part of the pitch in the new Beacon Hill scheme. Happy hour is backing up – again

But when it comes to Boston’s nightlife, Nino Trotta, one of the restaurant’s owners, forcella On Boston’s North End – he doesn’t think Happy Hour will do much good.

The concept might fill more bar seats, but it’s no guarantee that Boston’s after-hours atmosphere will change, especially on the North Side, where larger bars are lacking.

“I personally don’t think it would make that big of a difference,” he said. “I think it’s more about bringing people in to fill those seats, and hopefully people will stay.”

• Read more: Happy Hour may return to Massachusetts after 40 years

Unlike his own restaurants, which Liang describes as more food-focused, he thinks more drink-focused businesses could thrive under Happy Hour.

Trotta also believes Happy Hours will benefit larger restaurants and chains rather than small businesses like his.

“Maybe that could work for them,” Trotta said of brands looking to set up a bar and offer discounted drinks and meals.

“We are not that type of organization,” he said. “We are quality over quantity.”

Forcella has 30 seats in the main dining room and 12 at the bar. Trotta said 95 percent of the people sitting at Forcella’s bar order dinner and “come for the experience rather than the discount.”

That’s why the restaurant owner believes the Happy Hour reboot won’t actually change his business. But it would be a boon for companies that can offer discounted drinks and plates.

“It’s going to be a liability because nothing good comes out of it when people start drinking this much beer,” Trotta said.

“We don’t want people to go out and get crazy and get hurt,” he added. “In short, we are against it.”

• Read more: Restaurant owners oppose Happy Hour’s return to mass, association says

Massachusetts Restaurant Association He opposed the return of Happy Hours to the state.

“There are a lot of restaurant owners who oppose Happy Hour,” Jessica Muradian, director of government affairs for the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, said in an interview with MassLive about the after-workday bar atmosphere in the state.

“This is not something they want; They want relief from businesses’ high costs, credit card processing fees and skyrocketing health insurance premiums, Muradian said.

He said the industry is still in post-pandemic recovery mode, with less than 6 percent of restaurants more profitable than in 2019 and a “slight labor shortage” remaining.

“Implementing Happy Hour is not economic development,” Stephen Clark, president and CEO of the association, said in a statement. “Restaurants operate in the most competitive industry in America. “Not only are they competing with each other for a share of the food dollar, they are also competing with each other for grocery stores, convenience stores and ghost kitchens.”

Massachusetts remains the only state with a complete ban on Happy Hour.