Grab a beer at the dining facility: Fort Hood bistro begins alcohol sales

Fort Hood soldiers can now buy beer in the privately managed dining facility on post — though it is not included in their meal entitlements.

The base said Monday on social media that 42 Bistro now offers a menu of beer, hard seltzer and cider from a small bar separate from the food stations. It is also available in the bistro’s coffee shop, Tradecraft.

“Our soldiers are adults, so we’re treating them accordingly,” said Lt. Col. Joseph Payton, a spokesperson for III Armored Corps. “This provides another dining option for eligible patrons while maintaining the standards of responsible alcohol consumption expected across the installation.”

When the Army decided nearly two years ago to contract a private vendor to operate one dining facility each at five installations, it included the option to sell alcohol at the discretion of the base commander. When Fort Hood’s bistro opened in February, Lt. Gen. Kevin Admiral, commander of III Corps and Fort Hood, had not yet made that decision.

Fort Hood officials said Tuesday they began to plan for alcohol sales shortly after the opening.

Monday’s announcement stated the bistro bar is open from 5-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon-7 p.m. on weekends. Alcohol is available until 9 p.m. in Tradecraft on weekdays and until 8 p.m. on weekends.

Compass Group USA, the private company that operates 42 Bistro at Fort Hood, also manages bistros at Fort Carson, Colo., and Fort Drum, N.Y. Neither has a bar open but could if the base commander approved. Compass Group is scheduled to open a facility next month at Fort Bragg, N.C., and another next year at Fort Stewart, Ga.

As part of the no-cost contract, the Army only pays the company for meals eaten by soldiers with meal entitlements. The payments are limited by the number of soldiers who receive the $39-a-day entitlement. Fort Hood has roughly 6,000 eligible soldiers.

Any other revenue must come from other soldiers and officers, civilians and family members choosing to eat there.

The contract also required Compass Group to provide online ordering, to-go pickup and delivery options. However, these systems have continued to face challenges.

The bistros are intended to mirror dining halls on college campuses to attract more soldiers to take advantage of the meal entitlements they receive when living in the barracks. Fort Hood’s 42 Bistro boasts several food stations and grab-and-go snacks. It offers table seating and lounge areas with couches and TVs.