California lawmakers are poised to consider a bill that proposes the establishment of “Hospitality Zones” in which bars and restaurants can extend their last call for alcohol service until 4 a.m. on Fridays, Saturday, and state holidays as a strategy to breathe new life into the state’s nightlife scene.
The big picture: Asm. Matt Haney (D-San Francisco) unveiled Assembly Bill 342 on Monday, allowing cities to designate these zones to cater to night owls and increase post-pandemic recovery efforts.
- Haney, who leads the Assembly Select Committee on Downtown Recovery, emphasized the importance of revitalizing California’s downtown areas that still bear the economic impact of the pandemic.
- Pointing to the ongoing struggles faced by downtowns in California, Haney highlighted that Bay Area hotel revenue remains down by 45% and restaurant revenue is still 20% lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. He also noted the upcoming major sporting events, such as the next two Super Bowls, the 2026 World Cup, and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, as potential drivers for increased nightlife activity.
Driving the news: At present, California enforces a 2 a.m. last call statewide, with the exception of the Intuit Dome, the home arena of the Los Angeles Clippers basketball team, which was granted a 4 a.m. last call after Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill in the previous year.
Go deeper: Under AB342, cities would gain the authority to determine which establishments could enjoy the extended operating hours, with the ability to impose additional regulations as needed, according to Haney.
- This bill represents Haney’s continued efforts to extend last call, following a previous attempt he co-wrote with State Sen. Scott Wiener (D–San Francisco) in 2022, which was voted down by the Assembly.
What we’re watching: The bill is scheduled for review by the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee on Apr. 23.
What he’s saying: “Downtowns in California are still struggling to return to pre-pandemic levels almost half a decade later,” Haney said in a statement.
- He continued, “Tourists, downtown residents and convention planners are all looking for cities with both vibrant daytime and nighttime economies. Unfortunately many California downtowns become ghost towns after 5 p.m.”
