S. Carolina dumps mini-bottles

CHARLESTON, S.C., Dec. 30 (UPI) -- South Carolina, the last state in the country to allow liquor to be sold in bars and restaurants only in mini-bottles, is giving up the practice.

The mini-bottle law, adopted in 1973, was an odd relic of prohibition, USA Today reports. Before 1973, the state banned sales of liquor by the drink and patrons instead would bring their own bottles and buy ice and mixers.

The change in 1973 was seen as a move towards sobriety, and so is the latest shift in the law. The little bottles hold 1.7 ounces of booze, about half an ounce more than the standard shot in free-pour bars.

Restaurants and bars have been offering training in the use of jiggers and shot glasses. Gene's Haufbrau in Charleston has brought in bartenders from Atlanta to educate its staff.

"I think it'll be very entertaining to watch a lot of bartenders who've never tended bar anywhere except Charleston figure it out, including myself," Cat Hollen, a Haufbrau employee, told USA Today.