Early last week, California State Senator Scott Wiener introduced the “Let Our Communities Adjust Late Night” Act to the floor of the California state senate. This proposed legislation would allow municipalities to determine how late alcohol can be served while extending the latest possible option to 4 AM. Currently, California maintains a strict 2 AM last call statewide.
Senator Wiener posted on his Facebook page:
“I’m introducing legislation to create more local control around how late alcohol can be served – specifically, to allow (but not require) local communities to extend alcohol service to 4 AM if they choose. California currently has a one-size-fits-all 2 AM end to alcohol service, regardless of circumstances. Nightlife matters a lot, culturally and economically, and it’s time to allow local communities more flexibility.”
If the bill passes, this could help clubs and venues to greatly increase profit margins for nightlife hubs like San Francisco or Los Angeles. Chicago, New York City and Miami Beach are among the few major cities in the US that currently serve liquor until 4 AM.
The proposed structure also has similar precedents elsewhere in the US. The states of New Jersey and Nevada have no statewide last call but most towns and municipalities outside of the nightlife hubs of Atlantic City and Las Vegas respectively choose to set an earlier time.
In a recent email with the San Francisco Chronicle, owner of DNA Lounge Jamie Zawinski stated, “We make almost all of our money selling alcohol, and we sell almost all alcohol between 11:30 and 1:30 on Fridays and Saturdays, that’s only four hours a week!”
As the nightlife industry continues to grown and thrive, this would be a great step forward for California’s music venues and bars.
