Mayor Mike McGinn last night revealed a “Seattle Nightlife Initiative” that includes 8 major points:
1. Code compliance enforcement
2. Flexible liquor service hours
3. Noise ordinance enforcement
4. Security training requirements
5. Precinct community outreach
6. Professional development
7. Late-night transportation alternatives
8. Targeting public nuisances
The Streamline, located on Mercer Street in Lower Queen Anne.
Of these priorities, the “flexible hours” may be the most dramatic, with bars being able to stay open later than 2 a.m., with the argument that the present system “which by unintended consequence encourages overindulgence while simultaneously pushing thousands of patrons on the streets with limited resources to effectively manage the activity.” In other words, too many inebriated people at one time overwhelm law enforcement, alternative and public transportation, drive home drunk causing accidents, etc.
You can read more about it in the Seattle Times, and you can comment directly on a survey the city has put out seeking feedback about it. Or, please comment here!
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1 worf // Jul 15, 2010 at 11:10 am
The problems stem not so much from the 2:00 AM last call, but from the Liquor Control Board’s insane and draconian insistence that all alcohol sold in a bar be off the table by 2:00 AM. The Liquor Control Board’s strong enforcement of this rule ironically encourages people to order shots and doubles at last call and suck them down as quickly as possible while impatient servers, who are rightfully afraid of massive fines, try to round up all the glasses. If it was possible to order a drink up till 2:00 AM, and then relax with your drink until you finished in your own time, there would not be a mad rush of drunken people pouring into the streets at 1:45 AM, This problem is CAUSED by the Washington State Liquor Control Board. They should be held accountable. Actually, they should be disbanded.