What’s California’s New 4 AM Closing Time For Bars Means In Your City

Extended Party Time In Cali Not Likely To Be Implemented Statewide

The state of California has finally shed some of its nightclub nerd mentality and passed a law that allows bars to stay open until 4 a.m.

Previously it was 2 a.m., which was really like 1:30 considering chairs had to be up and people out the door by 2.

But what does this mean for your city or the city or town you are visiting while traveling in Cali? Well, it all depends on that city.

You see, while the state has passed this as law, the actual implementation is up to individual cities. So one could stay open until 4 (or 3) while others may stick with 2.

In PubClub.com’s home base of Hermosa Beach the city council would close the bars at 11 if they had their druthers.

Also, the bars don’t have to stay open any later than they want to, so if they choose to close at 2 (or later or even earlier) it’s up to them.

So the impact could be huge in some places. Clubs in places like Hollywood, the clubs in downtown LA, San Francisco and San Diego’s Gaslamp will be pushing their cities to adopt the later closing time. Some other places, such as Carmel and Monterey, are happy to roll up the sidewalks at 2.

You could, of course, e-mail your city council members (get their addresses from the official city website) to tell them if you want your town to have the bars open later. Some might even make it a point of discussion at a city council meeting.

Also, talk to your bar managers, owners, bartenders and servers and ask them what you can do in order to extend their hours.

It’s PubClub’s opinion that a closing time of 2 a.m., is just too early. Particular in the major cities of Los Angeles/Hollywood, San Francisco and San Diego, especially considering other major worldwide cities such as New York, Barcelona and Berlin are open until at least 4.

What do YOU think? Let us know by leaving a comment!