Bars to Stay Open Late for Inauguration Partying
Council passes measure to keep bars open late inauguration week
By JIM IOVINO
Updated 6:41 PM EST, Tue, Jan 13, 2009
If you think it's tough to get a drink during last call at the bars in Adams Morgan on a normal weekend night, just think of what it would be like if 4 million of your closest friends joined the party?
If the estimated 4 million people do swarm the District for President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration, they're going to need some places to unwind with a drink, right? That was the logic behind D.C. Council member Jim Graham's latest proposal.
Graham, who represents the bar-centric Adams Morgan neighborhood, introduced a measure to allow licensed bars, restaurants and nightclubs to serve alcohol until 5 a.m. and to keep doors open 24 hours a day between Jan. 17 and Jan. 21, according to the Washington Examiner. Tuesday evening, the Council passed the measure.
Mayor Adrian Fenty had requested that nightclubs not be included in the measure, but he has said he will sign the emergency legislation. Police can handle the inaugural duties and the later bar and restaurant scene, Police Chief Cathy Lanier said.
The measure is similar to one that was passed in Minnesota for areas around the Republican National Convention. Some bars and restaurants paid an extra fee to stay open later during the RNC. Some say the extra bar time paid off for those serving drinks, while others weren't impressed with the Republican drinking capacity.
First Published: Dec 1, 2008 10:07 PM EST
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