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Jerry Brown Vetos 4 AM Nightlife Bill

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Governor Jerry Brown vetoed the Late Night Bar Bill, or Senate Bill 905 last week on Septmeber 28. SB 905 would have adjusted the last call time to 4 a.m. in the cities of Los Angeles, Long Beach, West Hollywood, Palm Springs, Oakland, and San Francisco.

Governor Brown added comment in a letter to the California Senate, where he shared the reasons for turning down the law:

“Without question, these two extra hours will result in more drinking. The business and cities in support of this bill see that as a good source of revenue. The California Highway Patrol, however strongly believes that this increased drinking will lead to more drunk driving.”

Three Clubs’ co-owner Marc Smith, is baffled by Brown’s decision. Smith believes there’s something missing in the governor’s statement, and the state and businesses will miss out on extra revenue. “Does he have an alcoholic relative or something?” asks Smith. “I’m shocked that he would go out on something like that. I thought he’d be more progressive. As long as its regulated properly, this should be law.”

Smith adds that there’s a significant difference between last call at 1:30 a.m., and at 3:30 a.m. “At 1 a.m., there’s a sweet spot. The bar gets really busy, there’s a rush for last call, then we kick people out. At 1:30 a.m., they’re amped and excited, and still want to hang out. But by 3:30 a.m., they’re ready to go home.”

California Senate Passes Bill Allowing Last Call to Extend to 4 AM

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Early this year, California Senator Scott Wiener began a campaign for the ‘Let Our Communities Adjust Late Night Act’, which proposed that each municipality within the state be given authority to choose their last call hour, possibly pushing it back to as late as 4AM.

Previously, all venues throughout the entire state were limited to a 2AM last call for alcohol services. “Nightlife matters a lot, culturally and economically, and it’s time to allow local communities more flexibility,” Senator Scott Wiener argued.

The Senator’s efforts have paid off as his proposed 4AM nightlife bill has officially passed in the Senate, allowing it to now move to Assembly for a review and a vote before reaching the governor for final word to “allow but not require local communities to let their bars and nightclubs serve alcohol until 4AM”.

This is a huge move that will affect party hotspots in the state like Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco if it passes through the next phase.

Las Vegas Bottle Service

Last call at California bars could be 4 a.m. under proposed law

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Closing time might get a little later at your favorite drinking spot thanks to a state senator who has proposed legislation to allow cities to decide how late alcohol can be served.

The Let Our Communities Adjust Late Night Act, which was proposed Tuesday, would allow municipalities to set their own last-call times. Currently, last call is at 2 a.m. across the state. Under the bill by state Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), urban centers with active bar scenes could move last call back as late as 4 a.m., while less nightlife-heavy areas could keep things the way they are.

Wiener said on his Facebook page that it was time to fix the “one-size-fits-all” limit.

“Nightlife matters a lot, culturally and economically, and it’s time to allow local communities more flexibility,” he wrote.

The last person to attempt to give cities flexibility in setting last call times was Wiener’s predecessor in the Legislature, former Sen. Mark Leno, in 2013 . The bill failed to get enough votes to move out of committee.

4 A.M. Last Call Proposed for California Clubs

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Young tourists seeking a taste of Los Angeles nightlife are almost always in for a bitter pill. As originally reported on L.A. Weekly.

Expecting Hollywood glamour and all-night partying on a world-class level, revelers from out of town are more likely to get kicked to the curb at 2 a.m. because of California’s strict alcohol laws.

It’s embarrassing. State Sen. Mark Leno today announced that he has introduced legislation that would change our party pooper ways:

He wants to allow local governments to extend drinking hours until 4 a.m. Woot-woot?

Leno:
“This legislation would allow destination cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego to start local conversations about the possibility of expanding nightlife and the benefits it could provide the community by boosting jobs, tourism and local tax revenue.”

His bill, SB 635, would allow only nightclubs and restaurants to go until 4 a.m. (Stores that sell alcohol would still be subject to earlier hours).

Leno’s office says it would help bring California nightlife in line with that of such after-hours beacons as Las Vegas, New York, Chicago and Miami.

The legislation is supported by the California Restaurant Association.

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Some have argued that having all the drunk people leave bars at 2 a.m. puts pressure on communities and police, and that later closing times might actually spread the burden and allow some to sober up if they so chose.

Matt Gray, executive director of Taxpayers for Improving Public Safety:

“Uniform closing times put significant stress on public transportation systems and the law enforcement agencies tasked with managing and dispersing large crowds of patrons when they all leave the clubs at 2 a.m.”

But the big argument here is money. Lots of it. Leno’s office notes that nightlife in California is worth billions and that we’re home to 1 out of every 4 top-grossing nightlife venues in the nation.

However, the top 10 venues are in late-night-serving cities like New York, Vegas and Miami. Leno:

“Many cities in California have dynamic social activities that are vital to their economies, but they lack the flexibility to expand their businesses.”

Are you for this? (We know you are).