Last call at bars around USC won’t be extending any time soon.
California lawmakers defeated an effort to keep bars open past 3 a.m. over the weekend.
Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) proposed the measure otherwise known as the “last call bill” to legislators in hopes of extending the hours that alcohol would be served in 10 major California cities, as part of a five-year pilot program. Some of the cities that would have the option to extend the last call at bars, restaurants and nightclubs included Los Angeles, Long Beach and West Hollywood.
There have been past versions of this bill to make closing time 4 a.m., but it never became law because of numerous safety and health concerns over alcoholism and its effects, plus the potential of drunk drivers.
“This is a huge victory,” said Los Angeles City Councilmember Paul Koretz. “The California Assembly chose the safety of its residents over profits for alcohol-related businesses.”
Previous battles over the bill led Wiener to alter it by shifting the proposed extension earlier.
Bartender Denyse Ruggiero has served drinks in both Los Angeles and New York City, where closing time is 4 a.m. During happy hour at the 901 Bar & Grill she agreed with opponents of the California proposal. “Nothing good happens after 2 a.m,” she said.
In New York, Ruggiero said, a late last call “created a lot of problems,” despite the availability of efficient public transit. In Los Angeles, where most people travel in cars, Ruggiero believes "it would be detrimental.”
Supporters of the defeated legislation argue that extending the hours of alcohol served would give cities a better ability to have control over their nightlife and help California compete with the other 15 states with later closing times. The biggest argument that comes for this bill is the fact that it could make more money and grow travel and tourism.
Some USC students are skeptical that an extension would make that much of a difference. Senior Daniel Norwitz said “by keeping bars open another hour, there’s not really going to be a difference in the economic boost it could provide.”
As for the legislation, Wiener said he will “keep fighting to make California nightlife as good as it can be.”