6 things to know about the proposed extended bar hours bill in California (SB-58)
A new bill will hit Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk soon proposing extending bar operating hours in select cities within California. If you’re wondering ‘wasn’t this the same bill that Governor Jerry Brown vetoed last year?’ then you’d be correct. A similar measure did hit his desk last year, but supporters made a few changes to the bill and have brought it back to make sure it hasn’t fully died yet.
So, what do you need to know about this SB-58? Our top 6 things to know are below.
Why did Governor Brown veto the previous bill?
Governor Brown was not a supporter of previous legislation that could keep bars and restaurants open until 4AM. He was quoted saying “I believe we have enough mischief from midtown to 2[am] without adding two more hours of mayhem.”
Many think that it automatically will extend alcohol across all cities, but it won’t.
This bill is written where this change will be a pilot program. Only select cities will be allowed to extend hours before it would go statewide (with further legislation). Also, the bars would be able to decide if they opt in and what days of the week they chose to stay open later. Some could decide to only stay open for special events or holidays.
The cities that would be part of the pilot program have not been selected.
The cities that will be participating have not been selected. To take part in the new service hours, cities would need to complete a city-wide plan complete with law enforcement approval and development. The Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) would then have full review of the plan before determining which cities are selected to participate.
Transportation, city support, resident and business support, and geographic area will all play a role in determining what cities are chosen.
Have cities expressed interest yet?
They have! The cities that have determined they would like to be part of the pilot program are:
Sacramento
San Francisco
Oakland
Fresno
Los Angeles
West Hollywood
Cathedral City
Long Beach
Palm Springs
Coachella
What do supporters like about this bill?
Supporters for SB-58 like that this will give California a tourism edge that they don’t have over other state’s that do allow alcohol service and bars to stay open until 4AM. It will allow California to compete for tourism dollars from consumers who are looking to see a city later into the night.
What happens in 2026 if this passes, after the pilot period ends?
If the pilot program goes well, but new legislation doesn’t pass to extend the bill - all these cities go back to life as we know it in 2019. Bars will close again at 2AM.
So what do you think, should Governor Newsom pass this bill so we can test later alcohol service in California?
