Push for 4am last call in California resurrected
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Beaux in San Francisco's Castro District. Photo: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images
Two San Francisco lawmakers are reviving the effort to allow bars and nightclubs in California to serve alcohol until 4am.
The big picture: Democratic Assemblymember Matt Haney and Sen. Scott Wiener's latest resurrection of the last-call extension would allow patrons to drink past the current 2am cut off time.
- The extended times would only apply to establishments within locally-defined "hospitality zones" on Fridays, Saturdays and official state holidays.
State of play: Supporters say extending last call could help revive struggling downtowns and draw more tourists, especially in cities that have yet to fully bounce back from the pandemic.
- Several states, including New York and Illinois, already allow businesses to set later closing hours.
What they're saying: "You don't have to be a person who goes out until 3am to understand it's something that helps our state ... A thriving nighttime economy is a win-win and has massive positive ripple effects for restaurants, hotels, cafes and retail stores," Haney wrote on Monday on Instagram.
Between the lines: Cities would have full control over where and when to set the new closing times. A number of factors would need to be considered while mapping the zones, including availability of nearby public safety resources, public transit access, proximity of hotels and arenas, and walkability.
Zoom in: The state bill comes amid San Francisco's major push to boost the local economy through new entertainment zones across the city, which could be among the first in the state to benefit from the proposal.
- On Monday, Mayor Daniel Lurie announced that five more of such zones would be added on Valencia Street in the Mission, at Pier 39, on Ellis Street in downtown, on Folsom Street in SOMA and on Yerba Buena Lane at Jessie Square.
- "We've seen what happens when we open up our streets: Foot traffic goes up, local businesses get a boost and neighbors come out to connect," Lurie said in an emailed statement.
- The state bill "presents a clear opportunity to build on downtown's growing nighttime momentum," added Melissa Buckminster, a spokesperson at the Downtown SF Partnership.
The other side: Assemblymember Tom Lackey, a Republican from Palmdale and former highway patrol officer, told Axios that extending alcohol sales would be a "dangerous move that will only lead to more impaired drivers, more crashes and more grieving families."
- "I cannot support a policy that I know from experience will cost lives," he added.
Catch up quick: Wiener has unsuccessfully tried four times to enact such a measure, but the two state representatives from San Francisco have been steadfast in their mission to extend last call for years, with their most recent attempt failing in 2022.
- The duo scored a minor win last year when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law allowing one venue in the state to sell alcohol past 2am at an exclusive VIP club inside the Intuit Dome arena in Inglewood, home of the LA Clippers.
- This time around, however, Haney said permitting select venues in regulated areas would help resolve public safety issues.
- The widespread availability of rideshares, he added, also mitigates drunk driving concerns.
What's next: An Assembly committee is expected to weigh in on the bill in the coming weeks. If passed, the law would take effect in 2026.