Virginia has long had some of the most restrictive alcohol advertising laws in the Washington region, and those restrictions are becoming increasingly onerous for business owners in the age of Twitter and Facebook. Bars, restaurants, wineries and even grocery stores are barred by state law from publicly advertising price specials and happy hours where customers are most likely to see them — on signs in their windows or outside. Such specials can be advertised only inside the establishment.

In an age of instant communications and social media, however, Virginia’s restrictions have become increasingly difficult for merchants to live with. While competitors across the Potomac River can tweet customers to alert them to drink deals or special events or advertise sales on the internet, Virginia merchants can’t.