Boston is an amazing city; there is no doubting that fact. However, as much as people want to be here, the city does not seem to reciprocate the desire to attract and retain young professionals, industry and service workers, hospital staff, and other demographics whose presence is essential to Boston. Between the early closing times and the suspension of Late-Night T Service, the city seems to ignore a significant desire in its working-force population. Each one of these aforementioned demographics often works longer or later hours than a typical 9-to-5 job, and often works over weekends; this makes enjoying the amazing city of Boston quite difficult. Lines at establishments form as early as 9 PM, restaurants often close by 11 PM, and bars tend to kick patrons out around 1:30 in the morning. Within this petition are both the specific changes we wish to see in the Boston Nightlife landscape, as well as their benefits.

Passing Bill S. 127, Bill H. 161 or a similar measure, heeding the recent recommendations of the Late Night Task Force (linked here), and re-instating some form of nighttime public transportation would help counteract the inability to explore and enjoy Boston. Such measures would:

Allow certain establishments to serve alcohol until 4 A.M. Even if just on weekends, this would be a great step forward. Perhaps an extra price on such licenses would create an economic boost that the government could put to use elsewhere. Alternatively, perhaps the existing licenses would simply be extended, thus ensuring a quick and efficient transition. Allow more establishments to serve food later; in some cases until midnight, in other cases until 2-to-4 A.M. Both Brick-and-Mortar and Food Truck service should be able to easily increase their service hours. Allow music venues, and other entertainment venues, to hold events later than the current usual 12-to-2 A.M. cut-off. Allow for late-night Transit, in some form, to make a return. Recently, there was a proposal for a 24-hour bus system that would cost between $3-$5.6 million a year, before revenue via fare collection. It is linked here. Alternatively, Bridj has offered a solution via a partnership with the MBTA. Either way, with the recent fair increases expected to raise over $40 million a year, among other cost-saving measures, the T has no excuse not to provide this service.

The extension of hours regarding liquor licenses, food services, music performances and transit would each have a great, positive impact on the Boston cultural scene. The cost of living here is only getting higher; people need a reason beyond occupational availability to warrant paying such high prices. Although Boston has an excellent cultural landscape, an even more exciting cultural experience is a significant factor that will encourage people to stay in the Boston area (pg 3).

The lack of viable nightlife options is a major factor in why Boston fails to retain workers; many college students, recent transplants, artists and industry workers see Boston as a temporary destination, with more vibrant and welcoming social cultures in cities like San Francisco, Austin and New York City tempting them away. This is not a new problem; Boston journalists have been writing about the "Brain-Drain" for over a decade (see here , page 13 here). Moreover, Boston's reputation as a "no-fun-zone" extends beyond that timeframe, although there has been a recent increase in high-profile press coverage regarding the issue of Boston's lack of cultural magnetism (see here, here, and here). Such consistent press support of the lacking Boston cultural scene dissuades people from moving to, visiting, or staying in Boston. Contrary to the popular rebuttal of enabling drunken savages, extending nightlife hours and conveniences would cater to much more than the caricature of moral reprehensibility that opponents of extended nightlife tend to conjure. Below is a quick list of benefits:

An accessible public transit system is necessary for a city which relies on so many off-hours and lower-wage workers. It is not feasible to take a Taxi, Uber, Lyft or Fasten across Boston when wages hover around the minimum. Similarly, Boston needs to support its medical staff, scientists, and hospitality workers who often go home when there is no public transit available. Finally, the lack of public transit at night encourages drunk driving. The cost of the 24-hour bus system is greatly outweighed by the benefits, both economic and moral, afforded by its adoption. Recent data (linked to here and here) shows an incredible increase in the amount of foreign visitors to Boston over the previous two years. However, European and Asian countries are often much closer to "24-hour cities," and tourists frequently find themselves perplexed and disappointed by the lack of late night dining and entertainment options. Such options - greater food and activity availability - are integral in turning Boston into a true destination city, attracting foreign workers and business, and strengthening the trend of increased tourism that direct flights via Logan Airport have kickstarted.



Increased dining options for those who work late or want to eat late. As it stands, there are very few late-night dining options. Most establishments shutter by 11 PM, often due to licensing necessity; the Late-Night Task Force, in working with the Restaurant Industry, has recommended that those businesses be allowed to stay open later (see here). Often times young professionals, hospital staff, and industry workers are occupied with their work later into the night; it would increase the vibrancy of Boston if more restaurants were open later. Extended nightlife hours would lead to that, as more patrons would be out and able to eat after their later-hour shifts, try a new restaurant instead of heading to the bar to avoid early-forming lines, or would have the option to more thoroughly explore the restaurant scene (and skip the bar scene altogether.)



Later hours create a better environment for music and the arts. Artists have always left Boston for "greener pastures," and this phenomenon has recently been high-profile; for example, see this article here. By extending the hours of nightlife, more opportunities for night-time art exhibits and more show opportunities for musicians will arise; people won't have to rush to arrive at an art exhibit or a concert by 8 or 9 P.M. Furthermore, more "big name" acts will come because their set doesn't have to end at 2 AM; this is a big reason why many bands, DJ's and singers play Boston during the week, and save their weekend shows for more accommodating cities. Moreover, with longer shows and bigger headliners, there is greater opportunity for local musicians to have their chance to perform in front of big crowds; big concerts generally have a slew of openers before the headliner comes on the stage. Furthermore, people would not be forced into hosting their own events, which the City tends to shutdown. If people are out longer, then more activities, events, and local artists can be supported. Supporting the arts is essential to any city.



When everyone is kicked out of a bar at 2 A.M. but aren't ready to go home, it can create a chaotic scene. Extending hours would allow patrons to exit the bar at their own pace, and stop people from drinking as fast as they can at 1 AM because they know that they will be cut off in a half hour. The later hours would allow for more time to become sober before being forced out of the establishment. Furthermore, it would allow for an easier, less expensive time getting home now that the only transportation options are ride-sharing services and taxi's, which get very expensive when demand is high. Understandably, this reasoning may seem questionable to those who are not usually out at closing time; however, those who have experienced both Boston's 2 A.M. closings and another city's later closings can attest that the former is generally more chaotic and violence-prone due to the sudden outpouring of patrons and the lack of immediate transportation availability. When people can't go home, they hang around, and fights tend to break out.



With extended bar hours, extended hours for other nightlife options follow. It would be fantastic to be able to see a show and have a full sit-down meal, instead of choosing one or having to eat at 5 PM. There is so much amazing theater and performance art around Boston; Improv Asylum, Boston Ballet, the BSO, Laugh Boston, the Oberon, etc. Many more people would go to see the shows available at such venues if that could be a part of their night, as opposed to the majority of it.



Empty streets, many believe, lead to a greater likelihood of unsafe streets. Because bars close early, the streets of Boston are often empty soon after; if one finds his or herself walking home, especially now that the T service is discontinued, it can feel quite vulnerable. With a greater general presence of people in the streets, and the return of late-night service, such vulnerability is less likely.



Finally, businesses, artists, and the "millennial" generation are swayed by the cultural scene of a given city. Although it may seem superficial, it is also extremely important; workers in Boston are always leaving to go to destinations such as San Francisco, Chicago and New York City (pg 16) that have better embraced and accepted the need for a vibrant and accessible nightlife. So too with college students (pg 9), and businesses; over the years, Boston has lost out on many giant companies (Facebook, Reddit, and this link contains many more), in large part because its workers and owners wanted to be in a more vibrant area. Facebook is now worth more than the combined value of all Boston technology companies founded since 2000. It is time Boston fought back against such losses.

In conclusion, Boston truly needs to support a later-nightlife culture; even if such changes only occur in select areas of Boston where nightlife is expected (e.g. by TD Garden, Fenway, along Boylston, etc. as proposed by the Late Night Task Force). Please consider passing Bill S. 127, H. 161 or similar measures, embracing the recommendations of the Late Night Task Force, re-enabling some form of late-night public transit, and change the perception of Boston among the public. It's time to retain workers and businesses, and show the citizens of Boston that the city understands the need for fun, vibrancy and recreation.

Thank you so much for your time and consideration!

Sincerely,

The people of the Boston area