Lexington County bars without kitchens may be in trouble.

The state may be in trouble, too — with a potential loss of $32 million a year in tax revenue and estimated 16,000 jobs.

Administrative court Judge Deborah Durden has denied a Columbia bar its liquor license.

The judge ruled it did not meet the state restaurant requirements of all bars.

To serve liquor, the business must be a restaurant or hotel.

To get around that, many bars offer minimal food services. This ruling could change that.

The judge ruled that a microwave does not count as a kitchen, and simply heating up food does not count as serving a meal.

This means every bar without the required kitchen space and menu offerings is now serving liquor illegally.

The ruling raises a question of eligibility of franchise restaurants with kitchens but which serve microwaved, frozen meals supplied by their franchisers.

A study published by USC’s School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Managment found that more than 1,600 businesses could be impacted by this ruling across the state. They estimate a loss of $20,000 in tax revenue per location each year.

The South Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association passed a motion requesting a delay in enforcing the ruling until the statute is clarified.

South Carolina isn’t the only state.

North Carolina has similar laws about alcohol. There, if you want to open a bar that doesn’t serve food, it has to be labeled as a private club.

Members must apply to receive a membership card.