Legislation that permits seven California cities to extend nightlife operations to 4 a.m. has advanced in the state senate as of late June. Those cities include West Hollywood, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, and Coachella. And on Monday, June 27, WeHo’s City Council followed up that approval by adding its own local measure in a 3-2 vote, making it possible to secure a co*cktail beyond the traditional 2 a.m. in the standalone city in Los Angeles. The new laws have the potential to significantly shift California’s club and bar culture as Senate Bill 930 makes its final rounds in Sacramento.
Dubbed the late-night bar bill, SB 930 passed through the committee on June 22 and authorizes West Hollywood, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, Coachella, San Francisco, Oakland, and Fresno to participate in the pilot program. Locally, West Hollywood has one of the highest concentrations of bars and clubs in the region. Once approved, the law will transform the Sunset Strip, La Cienega between Santa Monica and Melrose, as well as the dense collection of queer clubs and bars on the stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard between San Vicente and Robertson. Rideshare drivers and late-night food vendors and restaurants also stand to gain from the program.
California state senator Scott Wiener is a longtime champion of extending the last call for alcohol. Over the years, his attempts to pass legislation were met with frequent opposition, and the legislation failed to pass the Senate in 2019. This recent push is different, as Wiener notes that SB 930 is designed to help businesses that struggled after COVID-19. “Many bars and venues are still facing mountains of debt as a result of the last few years,” said Senator Wiener in a statement via email. “Although we’re now in a very different phase of the pandemic and the bars that survived are open at full capacity, many of these small businesses are still struggling. We need to give them every possible tool to help them survive – including allowing them to stay open until 4 a.m. Nightlife is a core part of who we are as a state, and our world-class bars and nightclubs deserve a fighting chance.”
— Senator Scott Wiener (@Scott_Wiener) June 22, 2022Our legislation allowing, but not requiring, 7 pilot cities to extend their nightlife to 4 am just passed a key committee in the Assembly.
SB 930 authorizes Oakland, San Francisco, West Hollywood, Palm Springs, Fresno, Coachella & Cathedral City to extend nightlife hours.
The bill isn’t without resistance, and still requires participating cities to work with law enforcement with safety training and additional transportation. A pilot city’s plans must also be reviewed by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. In addition to approving the late-night bar program, the same city council voted yesterday in favor of eliminating four Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputies over the next nine months. The West Hollywood website notes that each deputy will be removed gradually over the next six months, with the potential to remove more if the council agrees to do so. The deputies will be replaced by unarmed “security ambassadors.”
Industry watchdog group Alcohol Justice opposes the move, and executive director Cruz Avila stated that Wiener “has once again chosen nightlife over all life and industry profits over public health and safety,” citing concerns with public safety, increased drug use, and drunk drivers. SB 930 now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee. The bill expires in five years and at that point up for renewal or elimination.
As an expert deeply versed in the dynamics of nightlife legislation, I can provide a comprehensive understanding of the concepts mentioned in the article. My expertise extends to the intricate details surrounding the recent legislative developments in California, particularly the proposed extension of nightlife operations to 4 a.m. in seven cities. This transformative initiative, known as Senate Bill 930 (SB 930), has significant implications for California's club and bar culture.
Firstly, let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article:
-
Legislation and Senate Bill 930 (SB 930): The focal point of the article is the legislative move to extend nightlife operations in California. SB 930, also referred to as the late-night bar bill, is the legislative instrument that authorizes seven cities, namely West Hollywood, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, Coachella, San Francisco, Oakland, and Fresno, to participate in a pilot program allowing nightlife establishments to operate until 4 a.m.
-
Cities Granted Extended Nightlife Hours: The article specifies the seven cities that have been granted the opportunity to extend their nightlife hours. These cities include West Hollywood, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, and Coachella. Additionally, San Francisco, Oakland, and Fresno are also included in the pilot program.
-
Local Measures and WeHo’s City Council Decision: WeHo’s City Council, representing West Hollywood, took a significant step by adding its own local measure to the legislation. In a 3-2 vote on June 27, the council made it possible to extend the serving of co*cktails beyond the traditional 2 a.m. closing time in West Hollywood.
-
Impact on California’s Club and Bar Culture: The potential impact of SB 930 on California's club and bar culture is highlighted. The law, once approved, is expected to bring about significant changes in areas such as the Sunset Strip, La Cienega, and the collection of queer clubs and bars on Santa Monica Boulevard.
-
Advocacy by Senator Scott Wiener: Senator Scott Wiener emerges as a key figure and a longstanding advocate for extending the last call for alcohol. Wiener emphasizes the importance of supporting businesses that struggled after COVID-19, acknowledging the financial challenges faced by many bars and venues.
-
Resistance and Safety Measures: The article mentions that the bill faces resistance and outlines the need for participating cities to collaborate with law enforcement for safety training and additional transportation. Plans of pilot cities must undergo review by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
-
Concerns and Opposition: Opposition to the bill is presented through the perspective of industry watchdog group Alcohol Justice. Concerns include issues related to public safety, increased drug use, and the potential for an uptick in drunk driving.
-
Five-Year Duration and Renewal: The legislative initiative has a built-in timeframe, with the bill set to expire in five years. At this point, it will be up for renewal or elimination, allowing for a reassessment of its impact and effectiveness.
In conclusion, the proposed extension of nightlife hours in California, as outlined in Senate Bill 930, is a multifaceted initiative with implications for various stakeholders, including businesses, law enforcement, and public safety advocates. The dynamics of this legislation reflect a delicate balance between supporting the nightlife industry and addressing concerns related to safety and public health.
