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New Law Could Keep L.A. Bars Open Till 4 A.M.
When it comes to old familiar New York versus Los Angeles smackdown, we can admit they have us handily beat in their ability to drink legally at bars until 4 a.m. Now, however, a California State Senator is putting forth a bill that would give cities the option to let their bars serve until nearly sun-up.
The legislation, SB 635, was introduced by Sen. Mark Leno (D) out of the Bay Area. Leno believes the bill would be good for tourism, increase local tax revenue and create jobs.
Additionally, letting our bars fill boozy glasses for two more hours would put California cities on par with, well, many urban centers in the U.S. including the aforementioned New York, along with Chicago, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, Atlanta, Miami Beach, New Orleans, and more.
SB 635 already has the support of the California Restaurant Association, Golden Gate Restaurant Association, California Music and Culture Association, and San Francisco Council of District Merchants.
Who might object? Law enforcement could oppose the bill, as well as some bar owners, points out KTLA.
The bill would greenlight serving past 2 a.m. at bars and nightclubs, but would not apply to liquor and grocery stores, so you still won't be able to take that hooch to go. But we have plenty of popular nightspots in L.A. that could benefit from this; Leno points out that L.A. is home to 15 of the nation’s top 100 grossing social and nightlife venues.
SB 635 will be heard in policy committees in the Senate this spring.
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