Closing time
There's an interesting bit in Metroland today about the uneven last call times at bars in the Lark Street area -- some are allowed to be open until 4 am, others until 2 am. As you can probably guess, one of the owners of 2 am establishments is pushing for a later closing time, and a neighborhood group is opposing the extension.
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I live in CS and love the proximity to bars and restaurants, but the crowd that some of the bars attract and cater to are very undesirable. We have had our property vandalized, have seen drug deals in the open and public urination, and have been awoken countless times in the middle of the night because of people screaming and yelling on their way back to their cars. I'm not sure if limiting the bars from 4:00 am to 2:00 am would change anything, however. What would change things is to have bar owner not let people drink to the point of drunkenness, a stronger presence by public safety officers, incentives for more people to purchase homes in the area, and a greater concern among bar owners for their patrons' behavior.
... said Barry T. on Aug 16, 2012 at 2:48 PM | link
You actually think the bar owner wants to people to NOT drink to the point of inebriation? At the cost of the safety of others, certainly not. But going to the bar is, for most, the whole idea is to get housed. And is the main source of revenue for the owner. People want social interaction and it's more enjoyable over alcohol, that's never going to change.
I lived in CS for 10 years and I can't say I agree or disagree with the ruling. In some ways, it's a little ridiculous. Because it's going to have a ripple effect on people's lives. Patrons start leaving earlier, bars start serving less, distributors will see less clients, and the economy that connects all three will slowly collapse. In other ways, it will benefit the residents like Barry T. It will deter vandalization and the side effects of public intoxication.
(btw, no one wants to pay Albany property taxes and the school system is sh!t, that's why I bought elsewhere and I'm sure I'm not alone)
Two things though: 1) You choose to live where you do. Live in the city and you'll get the city life along with all its caveats. 2) Boston has a last call around 1a with most places closing at 2a. The city seems to be doing just fine and has had this place for as long as I can remember. Population ratio of Boston to Albany? 6:1. Just saying.
... said Pike on Aug 17, 2012 at 9:19 AM | link
Pike I agree with point #1.
As for #2... I lived in Boston a few years back and the only difference an earlier closing time makes is that people start earlier. You still get hammered, you still get people fighting and pissing on your stoop and selling weed in broad daylight.
Nothing will ever stop people from having a good time.
... said Brendan on Aug 17, 2012 at 3:20 PM | link
I am a bartender at one of the lark st area estblishments and a long time resident of the area. Outside of my financial concerns, I will take a definate financial hit, there are other reasons for myself and other residents to be worried about the possible change. I have lived and worked in other areas of the country where a 2am closing is the law and as Brendan said earlier all of the problems will still occur, just at 2 instead of 4. Also there will be a few new issues. People aren't going to go home and go to bed, they are going have after hour parties all over town. So instead of many of them staying in the bars in a somewhat controlled environment they might be partying at your neighbors house or on a stoop. Another potential problem is as of now there is a slow trickle of patrons leaving especially from 2 til 3:30. If everybody is forced out at 2 that puts up to 500 people most of whom have been drinking, out on the street at roughly the exact same time. Considering the capacities of the main establishments with permits to stay open 'til 4 that is a fair if not low estimate. I guarantee you this will increase the number of fights traffic accidents and all around noise. Just some food for thought.
... said Robert on Aug 27, 2012 at 7:16 PM | link