WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (KNX) — In a late-night/early morning 3-2 vote on Tuesday, West Hollywood City Council decided to consider permitting establishments to sell alcohol beyond the current cutoff until 4 a.m.
Monday’s council meeting lasted more than 7 hours, delaying consideration of the “Resolution in Support of SB 930” until 2 a.m.
Senate Bill 930, introduced by State Senator Scot Wiener (D-San Francisco), creates a 5-year pilot program to extend hours of operation for “selling, giving, or purchasing” alcoholic beverages through 4 a.m., beyond the current 2 a.m. limit. The legislation — which also applies to Palm Springs, Oakland, San Francisco, Fresno, and Coachella — has not been voted on in the State Assembly, but it overwhelmingly passed in committee.
Mayor Lauren Meister made it clear she did not support the measure and lamented she was “tired of [West Hollywood] being a Petri dish” for state legislators’ whims. Legislators abandoned their initial draft for SB 930 and tailored it to include WeHo, doubting its ability to pass statewide.
Mayor Pro Tempore Sepi Syne said the measure hurts residents trying to sleep more than it helps businesses. But she said she would support the change with a narrow exception for special occasions.
“I know we always say, ‘If you go live by the Rainbow District, then you already knew what you were buying into.’ But what you were buying into was a 2 o’clock closing time,” Syne said.
West Hollywood businesses can currently apply at City Hall to operate from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. without liquor sales.
Ted Green, a 27-year resident who spoke during the public comment period, said he supports the measure because of the increased tax revenue it would provide the city, particularly for social services.
Residents who oppose the extension have cited drunken, rowdy behavior, particularly at bar closing hours. In addition, some see it as an overextended invitation, unlike in neighboring cities, since alcohol sales will be extended.
David Mermelstein, who said he’s lived in West Hollywood for 30 years, complained that his neighbors who stay out until 2 a.m. already keep him awake until 4 a.m. when they get home.
“Who’s gonna look after all these extra drunks at 4 a.m.?” Mermelstein asked. “What, are we getting into bed at 7 [a.m.] now? Please … do not do this.”
“We don’t need people from all over Los Angeles County coming here to get smashed,” he added.
Councilmember John M. Erickson, who supports the legislation, said the change would not be immediate and may come with severe limitations.
“This is the very essence of local control,” Erickson said. “We always ask the state to make sure we have say over what we want to do.”
Erickson said he hoped to form a task group of residents and businesses, which could expand drinking hours only on special occasions (e.g., Pride, Carnival, New Year's Eve).
The prospect of increased earnings appeals to those who work in West Hollywood.
“I feel like a lot of employees could benefit from making more money in that after-hours,” dancer Shania Johnson told KTTV. “All the big cities like New York, Chicago, Miami, [and] Las Vegas are open ’til 4 a.m.”
Councilmember John D’Amico sympathized with those who live nearby bars, as he said he does, but he supported the measure with input from the public and motioned to support it.
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