LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — A new bill proposes extending alcohol service until 4 a.m. in California — two hours later than is currently allowed by law.
State Sen. Mark Leno has proposed a bill that would give local communities the option of letting restaurants, bars and nightclubs serve alcohol into the wee hours.
The bill does not apply to liquor stores.
The goal is to let California cities compete with the likes of New York, Chicago and Las Vegas, where closing time extends into the early morning.
Under the plan, cities could submit a plan to the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
According to Leno, later drinking hours would be beneficial for job creation, tourism and local tax revenue.
But residents and bar owners have some mixed reviews on the bill.
And law enforcement might not be on board with the change either, becasue later bar hours could mean more late night headaches.
The beverage service hours legislation is set to go before a policy committee this month.
16 Comments to “Bill Would Allow Alcohol Service Until 4 a.m.”
March 14, 2013 at 8:49 AM
That just means that the roads will not be safe from drunk drivers between 4-5 am instead of 2-3 am. Just what i need, to be on the road with drunk drivers when I go to work at 5 am. More drunks will show up to work drunk. What a stupid bill….. And YES I don't drink. Sober for over 5 years. If I could have drunk till 4 am I would have been dead by now..
March 14, 2013 at 10:17 AM
I agree with you.
March 14, 2013 at 1:47 PM
I do drink and I think it is stupid.
March 14, 2013 at 9:15 AM
I guess u can't post a comment that opposes this article. Failure!
March 14, 2013 at 2:12 PM
I agree. I tried to make a post and got shut out. Tried to protest and got shut down again. I tried to comment that it might work in those other cities because of heavy use of taxi service. We don't live like that here in Southern California.
March 14, 2013 at 9:21 AM
What is the motive for this bill? A great idea to create more bar fights, more traffic accidents and therefore more arrests! Another reason to hire MORE police, which we don't need! Epic Failure!
March 14, 2013 at 2:07 PM
Motive? Simple. Squeeze more money out of citizens. In this case, the more alcohol sold, the more liquor tax and sales tax to the state.
March 14, 2013 at 10:49 AM
More drunks on the road at 4 a.m. Brilliant.
March 14, 2013 at 2:10 PM
I don't like to stay out late and drive home around 1:45 – 2:30 a.m. because of fear of drunk drivers that just left the bars. Now I'm at risk when I get up early to drive to my early tee time.
March 14, 2013 at 10:51 AM
At least the DUI lawyers will be happy.
March 14, 2013 at 12:31 PM
The Senator needs a sobriety test.
March 14, 2013 at 2:15 PM
It seems that if you Reply to other comments, it doesn't get deleted.
March 14, 2013 at 3:14 PM
This comment has been deleted by the administrator.
March 14, 2013 at 5:06 PM
The Senator needs a drink.
March 14, 2013 at 7:51 PM
Money before safety, gotcha
March 14, 2013 at 11:18 PM
Mark Leno is 100% LOADED. Has to be a dem. They don't have common sense.