An ordinance that would ban the sale of alcohol in the county between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. is headed to Greenville County Council.

The council's public safety committee approved the ordinance Monday on a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Michael Barnes opposing. It will go before the full council for discussion and a vote on Jan. 9.

County Councilman Bob Taylor said the rules will put the county in line with the cities of Greenville and Mauldin, making it easier for law enforcement officers to monitor.

"I'd like to see us get this done," Taylor said. "I don't see any need for anyone to be out there drinking between 2 (a.m.) and 6 (a.m.)."

Committee Chairman Rick Roberts emphasized the ordinance does not force an establishment to close entirely — it only affects the sale of beer, ale, porter, wine and other liquor. A previously proposed measure would've required all places to shut down at 2 a.m.

Among those places that would be affected are nonprofit clubs, room service operations in hotels, bars, restaurants and nightclubs open to the public, according to the ordinance.

Han Choi, owner of World Cup Billiards, says his bar already stops serving patrons at 2 a.m., so the ordinance won't have a big effect on him. He said he appreciates that the council would allow businesses to remain open and serve food.

But Bret Hixon, owner of Pal's Bar & Grill, said the new rules could add to the already long list of things bar owners are liable for.

"Our insurance already has more holes than Swiss cheese," Hixon said.

Hixon said he and other bar owners can be held liable for what a patron does after leaving a bar, such as being involved in a car crash. It's also been increasingly hard to monitor people who may use recreational or prescription drugs that can heighten the effects of alcohol, he said.