Could Seattle and other cities in the state someday be able to allow bars to serve alcohol later than the current state law of 2 a.m.?
That could be the case depending on whether laws are changed by the Washington State Liquor Control Board.
The board agreed Wednesday to the city of Seattle’s request to look at changing rule-making regarding hours of alcohol service.
Under Washington Administrative Code 314-11-070, liquor sales are prohibited between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.
But Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn and the Seattle City Council formally petitioned the board to open the rule-making process. Seattle officials are seeking a new section that would allow local governments to petition the liquor board to establish extended hours of alcohol service within local jurisdictions.
Seattle officials want to look at extending liquor sales hours in an effort to increase revenue from nightlife and allow staggered closing times to cut down on large crowds leaving bars at the same time.
The board will seek input from the public, law enforcement, city officials and others as it considers revising the rule, according to an Oct. 12 liquor board media release.
One issue the board wants to find out is if law enforcement agencies in jurisdictions outside of Seattle have concerns about potentially seeing an increase in drinking and driving as people drive to and from an area zoned for extended bar hours.
Another issue is what kind of impact has extended bar hours had on public safety in cities in other states that allow extended hours.
Nine states set closing hours by local jurisdictions.
The board set a tentative schedule about the rule-change request, including a public hearing Jan. 18 and a vote on whether to adopt new rules on Jan. 25.
Additional documents, including the city of Seattle petition, the tentative timeline for rule-making, and the board’s response to McGinn are posted on the liquor board website at www.liq.wa.gov.
Talk to us
Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.
To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.
