beer taps

Language added to the Ohio Senate's budget plan would allow some Cleveland bars and restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages until 4 a.m. during next year's Republican National Convention.

(Peggy Turbett, The Plain Dealer)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Cuyahoga County bars and restaurants catering to Republican National Convention delegates next summer would be allowed to serve beer and alcohol until 4 a.m., under language added to the Ohio Senate's budget plan.

The provision, still under debate, would allow local officials to issue waivers for businesses to continue booze sales past the usual 2:30 a.m. cutoff time during the convention, scheduled for July 18-21, 2016.

If passed, Cleveland would only grant such waivers to a "very limited" number of businesses that are likely to be frequented by large numbers of conventioneers, such as bars in hotels where Republican delegates are staying, according to Alesha Washington of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, which backs the idea.

Liquor license holders would have to apply for a waiver at least 120 days in advance, under the proposal.

Sen. Tom Patton, a Strongsville Republican who inserted the provision in the Ohio Senate's budget plan, said he wants to make sure that local establishments can remain open late to serve convention attendees who may not leave the Quicken Loans Arena until after midnight.

"We're trying to show Cleveland in its best light, and we have a lot of great restaurants downtown," Patton said.

The provision, if passed, wouldn't just apply to the 2016 RNC. The proposal would permit any Ohio municipality with a population of more than 350,000 to allow 4 a.m. beer and liquor sales during "major events" that last between one and 10 days and are expected to attract more than 3,000 people.

The 2016 Republican National Convention is expected to attract more than 5,000 protesters and 50,000 attendees, generating $400 million in economic impact.

Patton's proposal is the latest move to loosen state liquor laws in advance of the RNC. In April, state legislators passed a law allowing outdoor alcohol consumption in designated "refreshment areas."