In the latest in a years-long battle over bar closing times, a Los Angeles city councilman is leading the charge to keep bars in the city closed by 2 a.m. instead of the 4 a.m. closing time put forward in a proposed state law.
City Councilman Paul Koretz, who represents the fifth district, proposed a resolution on Tuesday opposing the later closing time for bars in Los Angeles.
"No good is going to come of an additional two hours of drinking," said Jeffrey Ebenstein, director of policy and legislation for Koretz. Ebenstein and Koretz co-crafted the resolution. "I think Councilmember Koretz really feels that this will lead to people dying. We will actually have more DUIs and more dangerous conditions and more life-threatening situations."
The state legislation, SB-58, is Sen. Scott Wiener's (D-San Francisco) third attempt to pass a state law that would allow Los Angeles and eight other cities to issue extended-hour permits to bars. The other cities include Cathedral City, Coachella, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Oakland, Palm Springs, Sacramento, San Francisco, and West Hollywood.
"Right now, we have a 100-year-old, one-size-fits-all, rigid closing time, whether you're in a small town or in downtown LA," Wiener said. "And we're just trying to create some more local flexibility. The bill doesn't require the city to do anything."
The bill, which was proposed in December, is up for review by a committee this month. Koretz is hoping the city of LA's position will sway the subcommittee.
Mayor Eric Garcetti has said publicly that he supports extending hours. The last bill to extend bar hours was vetoed by former California Governor Jerry Brown, but this will be the first time the bill is in front of Governor Gavin Newsom, who is a bar and restaurant owner.
The evidence on the impact of bar closing times on public safety is inconclusive. One study conducted in Canadian cities found that impaired driving and assaults decreased when hours bars were extended. Rock and Reilly's bartender Sean Whaling said he is confident in the security measures at his bar and said the judgment of bartenders is enough to keep customers safe.
"On a college campus it would be beneficial to have something open late night for people who are getting done with classes or they're studying late so I think it's a good move," he said.
He said that Rock and Reilly's would consider keeping the kitchen open or adding a late night menu if they were able to stay open until 4 a.m.
Evan Falstrup contributed to this report.