Restaurants and bars in California cities should be able to remain open and serve alcohol past 2AM, like other major cities in around the world. Sen. Mark Leno has introduced SB635, a bill that would do just that.



SB635 would allow a county or a city and county to submit to the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) a local plan that would extend on-sale hours up to 4 a.m. The extended hours would only apply to on-sale establishments such as restaurants and bars. The bill would not permit extended hours at liquor stores and other off-sale establishments. Through a public process, the local community may craft a local plan that is appropriate for their economy, public safety and community needs.

Many international cities, including Barcelona, Berlin, Sydney, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro, have extended or flexible sales hours that allow local businesses to be creative in their social and cultural offerings. This bill will allow California communities to compete with other world-class cities in attracting tourists, conventions and conferences from around the world.

SB 635 allows local communities to take control of these important community decisions. SB 635 will elevate San Francisco in specific and California in general to a level equal to or surpassing the great entertainment areas of the nation and the world. Optional 4 am hours (which require a special permit from the NY State Liquor Authority) has certainly never hurt New York. San Francisco and California deserve no less.