Bay Area Politician Proposes Legislation to Let California Bars Serve Alcohol Until 4 AM

BAY AREA, CA -- A state senator from the Bay Area is proposing legislation that would allow local governments to permit bars and restaurants to serve alcohol as late as 4 a.m. in areas zoned for late night entertainment.

The legislation, known as the "LOCAL Act," or Let Our Communities Adjust Late Night, would allow local governments to extend alcohol service hours to a time between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. with the authorization of the state Department of Alcohol Beverage Control.

The proposal, also known as Senate Bill 384, was announced Feb. 15 by its author, state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco.

Communities interested in extending their hours would have to develop a plan identifying the affected areas and obtain a law enforcement assessment of the public safety impact. They'd also have to demonstrate support from local residents and businesses, as well as the availability of transportation.

The proposal doesn't apply to liquor stores, however, and individual businesses would still need to apply to the ABC for an extended hours license.

"California is a diverse state, with cities and neighborhoods that have different needs when it comes to nightlife," Wiener said in a statement. "By granting local control to our cities to extend their late night hours, we can support areas that benefit economically and culturally from a strong nightlife presence, while ensuring that other cities and neighborhoods retain their current rules."

The full text of SB 384 can be read on the California Legislative Information website.

Other U.S. cities that currently allow alcohol service beyond 2 a.m. include Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York City, Las Vegas, Atlanta, Miami Beach and New Orleans.

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