SANTA MARIA,
Calif. -- California bars might see
party hours extend into the wee hours of the morning, after a senator proposed a
law allowing bars to stay open until 4 a.m.
"I think I
would try it for a while," says Elmer's Bar Owner Mike Denne.
If passed,
bars could apply for a license allowing two extra hours of alcohol sales.
Supporters
say the bill would allow bars to compete for tourist dollars and bring in extra
revenue for California bars and cities.
"4 a.m. is a
little bit much," says Stinky's Grill Owner David Perez.
Not all bar
owners are for it. They say the cost of extra employees and longer hours could
outweigh the drink sales.
"There's a
lot of expenses involved," says Denne. "That's at least one more, maybe two more
bartenders."
They say it
would most likely benefit larger, metropolitan areas.
"Businesses
in this area were closed by 11 p.m. that's a late night for us," says Perez.
And others
argue it could increase the liability of impaired driving.
"There's a
lot of headaches between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m." says Denne. "There
is!"
More than 20
other cities outside of California allow liquor to be served until 4 a.m.
