Bar owners slow to apply for extended hours
Extended bar hours for establishments in the South Cape entertainment district officially begin at midnight on Sunday. Yet, area bar owners seem to be taking their time to decide whether to take part.
According to city spokesperson Connie Barron, as of late Wednesday, no bars or nightclubs had submitted the required paperwork to stay open until 3 a.m., perhaps waiting for the first full weekend to sign up.
As the ordinance is written there would be nothing stopping businesses from staying open late. However, none were willing to take that plunge right away.
“The ordinance says April 1, which would be midnight Sunday, but we’ve decided we’re not going to push that,” said David Townsend, owner of Dixie Roadhouse, the only bar that has officially committed to extending hours.
With that also being Easter, it appears there won’t be anyone ordering a Manhattan at 2:45 a.m. before going home to color Easter eggs.
Only one, Dixie Roadhouse, has stated it plans to stay open until 3 a.m. Backstreets, which had extended hours the last time they were tried in 2015-16, did not state whether or not it would participate this go-around..
Townsend said that with the permit fee waived this time around, other bars would look toward at least considering it. He said he doesn’t know for sure who will take the plunge.
Big Blue Brewing has said they would not extend bar hours, though owner Joanne Elardo said she would be open to reconsider if the response from customers warranted it.
“I don’t see us going extended, but I love the opportunity that we have for it,” Elardo said. “Our hours depend on what our customers want. We don’t know how it will affect us. If there is business, we will be open, like any business owner.”
There is no cost for establishments to apply for a permit, but they have to comply to certain requirements.
Regulated establishments may sell, serve and permit alcoholic beverages between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m. during the week and until 3 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and certain holidays.
For the extended hours, regulated establishments must have a security camera system capable of recording and retrieving video images;
n must submit proof that each of its employees has completed the required course that includes subjects listed in the statute dealing with alcoholic beverages;
n provide interior security personnel from 11 p.m. to close for all days extended hours are allowed;
n provide adequate buffering of noise impacts from open-air areas;
n conduct a “last call” for service of alcoholic beverages, requiring the establishment to cease the sale and service of alcoholic beverages 15 minutes prior to closing;
n meet with the Police Chief, or his designee, at least once a month concerning issues related to the extended hours;
n and meet all of the requirements of local, state, and federal law and obtain and maintain all associated licenses in order to serve, sell or permit the consumption of alcohol on the premises.
City Councilmember John Carioscia said the city has made things easier for bars to participate, with the goal of getting at least five bars. He believes many locations are getting their ducks in a row before extending hours.
“They need to bring in the security cameras and security people. Things have to be done before they apply,” Carioscia said. “The police have to go in there to be sure everything is done.”