PORTSMOUTH — Drink up. The N.H. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a proposal to push back last call to 2 a.m.

PORTSMOUTH — Drink up. The N.H. House of Representatives on Thursday approved a proposal to push back last call to 2 a.m.



The House voted 208-123 to send a bill to the Senate that would allow on-premises licensees to continue operations for another hour past the current closing time at New Hampshire bars. Supporters said the law change would bring the Granite State in line with its neighbors.



Owners of local watering holes were divided on the prospect of being able to serve drinks an hour later than is currently allowed under the law.



"I think it is a good idea," said Joe Kelley, owner of Fat Belly's and the Thirsty Moose Tap House. "It gives people more options, people don't have to be in such a rush, can grab dinner a little later and still go out and have a few drinks and catch a band. I know I will most likely keep my food operations open later."



Kelley said the change is also good for the state, which would gain revenue from liquor sales and the meals tax.



But Roger Black, owner of the Coat of Arms British Pub on Fleet Street, was not as enthusiastic about the change.



"It's definitely not something I would be excited about and I don't see a need for it in Portsmouth," he said. "Maybe the border towns with Massachusetts might benefit from it, but all it means to me is longer hours and more people pre-gaming and going out later."



Deputy Police Chief Corey MacDonald said the police department supports what is good for the local economy, and if legislators and industry experts believe a later last call would help business, police will support that change.



"The effect on us will be increased workload," he said. "We are equipped to deal with that."



MacDonald said the night shift currently runs from 7 p.m. to 3 a.m., but the department might have to look at changing that if officers become too busy after bars let out at 2 a.m.



In addition to dealing with disorderly conduct, fights, vandalism and other issues that often arise when patrons start filtering out of bars, police have to respond to domestic disputes that sometimes follow once people get home from a night of drinking, according to MacDonald.



"It may translate into some busier nights for us," he said.



John Golumb, a police commissioner and owner of Poco's Bow Street Cantina, agreed with MacDonald that the department is capable of handling any issues that may arise from the later last call.



"We direct manpower where it's needed. We don't see it being an issue," he said.



At Poco's, Golumb said, his philosophy has always been to have his last call an hour before the legal last call of 1 a.m. If the law changes, he said, he would probably push back last call at Poco's only to 12:30 a.m.



"It makes good business sense for me to do it," he said.



Golumb said that practice arises from a desire to "avoid some of the troubles" that other businesses that serve drinks later might experience.



State Sen. Martha Fuller Clark, D-Portsmouth, said Thursday she has not yet formed an opinion on the last-call proposal, but she is eager to hear more from all stakeholders, including law enforcement and bar owners.



"I know as the evening gives way to morning that we seem to have had potentially more problems with people in our downtown who have had too much to drink," she said. "You've got to find a balance between those businesses and the people who live downtown."



Fuller Clark urged constituents to share their thoughts on the bill by e-mailing her at martha.fullerclark@leg.state.nh.us.



Opponents argued the bill will lead to more underage drinking and raise more problems for college towns. The bill does give communities the option of keeping the current 1 a.m. last call.



Gov. Maggie Hassan said she has not reviewed the bill, but she is willing to consider it.



Material from the Associated Press was used in this report.