JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville City Council will consider an ordinance to allow some downtown bars an extra hour to serve alcohol, according to News4JAX partners at the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Currently, bars and restaurants in Jacksonville must make last call for alcohol at 2 a.m. The new proposal would push that to 3 a.m., following recent expansions to outdoor dining options in the area.
“I hate the word curse, but it’s been a problem in Jacksonville,” Evan Ratja of Decca Live said of the current rules in the city.
Business owners and city leaders believe the extended hours could help transform downtown’s entertainment scene and support growth.
The proposal would affect about 63 businesses in three designated zones: the North Core, Central Core, and the Sports and Entertainment District around the stadium.
Councilman Raul Arias, who introduced the bill, said, “Downtown, even though it’s not my district, it’s the heart of any city. This will be another step. It just brings light and energy to downtown.”
Public reaction to the proposal has been mixed.
One News4JAX reader commented, “Good. Most major cities in downtown districts close at 5 a.m. Get with the times.” Another simply said, “More crime.”
When asked about concerns related to crime, Arias responded, “We’re going to look at the models that work right now in Tampa and see what they’re doing to mitigate those concerns. I don’t mind holding this up for another two or three weeks to make sure everyone feels safe about this decision.”
The proposal now begins a six to eight-week review process, including committee discussions and public comments, before a full vote by the City Council.