Miami Beach Bars, Clubs Could Close Earlier After Voters Support 2 A.M. Booze Ban

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Miami Beach voters showed support for an earlier last call for alcohol throughout the city, according to the unofficial results of a straw poll on the 2021 ballot.

The non-binding referendum calls for bumping up the cutoff time for alcohol sales from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily, effectively closing local bars and clubs hours earlier.

A majority of voters — 7,301 residents — voted in favor of the time change, while 5,616 voted against it, according to the Miami-Dade County Supervisor of Elections office.

A similar referendum banning alcohol sales after 2 a.m. along Ocean Drive was rejected by Miami Beach voters in 2017, the Miami Herald reported.

“This is what our residents want,” Mayor Dan Gelber, who won reelection Tuesday, said about the straw poll’s support.

In May, commissioners approved a restriction ending alcohol sales at 2 a.m. at businesses located between Collins Avenue and Ocean Drive from Fifth to 15th streets.

The earlier closing time was put in place after complaints about unruly spring break crowds partying in Miami Beach, and concerns about violence and public drunkenness.

The city was sued by the Clevelander South Beach, which is located on Ocean Drive, over the cutoff on alcohol sales, and a judge sided with the hotel, the Herald said.

“It was arbitrary, it is a violation of local ordinances, and that was unlawful,” Circuit Judge Beatrice Butchko said of the alcohol cutoff.

Commissioners placed the referendum on this year’s ballot to gauge community support for the measure.

Even though the majority of voters supported the new cutoff time, not everyone is happy that bars, clubs and restaurants could close earlier.

In recent weeks, hospitality workers, entertainers and business owners have taken to the streets to protest the time change. Their primary concern is the economic impact the 2 a.m. alcohol ban might have on small businesses and their employees.

Citizens for a Safe Miami Beach, which has organized these protests, issued a statement about voters’ support of the referendum Tuesday.

“(The) non-binding straw poll was an attempt at misdirection by leaders who have failed to stem the growing problems of crime on Miami Beach,” the organization said. “Misinformation put forth by proponents of the 2 a.m. ban led to a result that may hurt every resident of Miami Beach. Citizens for a Safe Miami Beach will continue to oppose solutions that do nothing to solve crime, but will cost 4,100 local workers their jobs, increase property taxes, and cut tens of millions of dollars from city revenues.”