Bars, clubs would serve alcohol until 4 a.m. in 6 California cities under proposed bill

A 4 a.m. last call? We’ll drink to that proposal, which could become law in six California cities.

Here’s how it could happen.

A new state bill would initiate a 5-year pilot program giving six California cities local control to extend alcohol sales at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants to 4 a.m.

Graciela Lopez, right, enjoys a drink with a friend at a space for queer women in West Hollywood. A new state bill described as a 5-year pilot program would give six cities local control to extend alcohol sales at bars, nightclubs, and restaurants to 4 a.m. Photo: Graciela Lopez.

The bill, which would go into effect January 1, 2020, only applies to cities whose mayors have said they support the bill:

Long Beach
Los Angeles
Oakland
Sacramento
San Francisco
West Hollywood

Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), who authored the Senate Bill 905 and introduced it Thursday, introduced a similar piece of legislation last year that would have applied to the entire state, but it died in committee.

ALSO READ: California bill would allow cities to sell alcohol until 4 a.m.

The 5-year pilot program, called the LOCAL Act, which stands for Let Our Communities Adjust Late-Night, does not obligate any business in the six cities to remain open. Instead, it gives bars, nightclubs, and restaurants the option to stay open as late at 4 a.m. Liquor stores are excluded from the bill.

ALSO READ: Where are the lesbian clubs in Los Angeles? Queer women need spaces

Here is the trajectory the bill would take to become law: