Serving alcohol until 4 a.m. could be an answer for safer nightlife

[TexasTowelie]

Late on a Saturday night, in a nightclub on the fringes of the Arts District, a few hundred music fans are dancing. Downtown hipsters, gay couples and techno scenesters all sway to jubilant electronic tracks or flirt on the outdoor smoking patio.

But when the clock strikes 2 a.m., the bar shuts down. A few grumbling patrons wonder where to go next. Contrail Storey, a jewelry designer who lives and works downtown, isn’t ready to head home yet. But he’s not crazy about the idea of tracking down an unpermitted (or possibly unsafe) warehouse party.

It would be much better, he says, if some L.A. bars could stay open later for “the people that want to stay out late but avoid having to go to some illicit after-hours venue."

After last year’s fire at the Ghost Ship warehouse in Oakland killed dozens of young music fans, people in nightlife — musicians, club owners, civic leaders and patrons — have been looking for ways to prevent a another such tragedy.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-4am-dance-music-20170308-story.html

[Rhiannon12866]

1. Serving more alcohol to more people is definitely not safer

All you have to do is look at any newspaper anywhere. I could mention any number of recent tragic accidents in my neck of the woods. The one that's made the headlines this week was only a one car crash - but a baby died. The mother, who had been drinking, neglected to strap her into her carseat.

[TexasTowelie]

2. The only thing that it does is postpone the inevitable.

Instead of leaving the clubs and driving drunk at 2:30 a.m. they will be driving at 4:30 a.m. and more intoxicated. There is a side benefit to clubs staying open until 4 and 5 a.m. while cutting off the alcohol--the people will dance and sweat off some of the alcohol, perhaps puke, and possibly sober up a little. They may still be a danger, but maybe a little less so.