Assemblyman Wants Earlier "Last Call" for Downtown Bars

Anchorage Assemblyman Patrick Flynn proposed an ordinance Tuesday requiring large downtown bars to stop serving drinks an hour earlier. He says large crowds hitting the streets all at once pose a safety concern for patrons and the community.

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by Whitney LB Miller

Story Created: Dec 18, 2012 at 11:15 PM AKDT

Story Updated: Dec 20, 2012 at 9:22 PM AKDT

ANCHORAGE - Anchorage Assemblyman Patrick Flynn proposed an ordinance Tuesday requiring large downtown bars to stop serving drinks an hour earlier.  He says large crowds hitting the streets all at once pose a safety concern for patrons and the community. 

"You have intoxicated, irritated people congregated by the dozens on downtown streets and there's no real way to control them," said Flynn. "The idea is a more measured wind up to the evening."

If passed, the ordinance would require bars with a capacity of 125 or more to stop serving alcohol an hour earlier than normal. At least 20 downtown establishments would be effected.

Some bar and restaurant owners have reported the ordinance would not solve the problem and fear they'll lose business.

"Some bars make the most money in that last hour so they have economic reasons not to like it," said Flynn. "But the consequence is, they're inflicting physical and personal crimes upon our community." 

The proposal will be up for public hearing at a later meeting.


 

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Irving Schwartzgard said on Sunday, Dec 23 at 4:27 PM

Let me see if I've got this right: 20 bars of 125 or more people empty out an hour earlier--most (if not all) go to other bars for an hour. Where does this alleviate anything? You've still got up to 2500 "intoxicated, irritated" people out on the street!

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