Disastrous or Brilliant? Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Debates 2 AM Bar Closing

Will Portsmouth, New Hampshire, extend the last call for alcohol to 2 a.m., like most other states are?

Some restaurants are all for this extension, and some want nothing to do with it. According to Seacoastonline, the owner of Clipper Tavern loves the idea. Jeff Goss said that,

I’m all for it at Clipper Tavern. I can see four or five of us downtown wanting to serve that extra hour. So I think it would all help, it’s just more options within walking distance.

But at the nearby Daniel Street Tavern, owners Marge and Jason Stiles don't think it's a good idea at all. They've noticed that by 1 a.m. (the current closing time), folks are done and ready to go home. That includes staff.

This bill did pass in the New Hampshire House in late March, but there's no date on when the Senate would take up the issue.

Is Portsmouth, New Hampshire, behind the times for closing times?

Yes! The rep that sponsored the bill, Democrat Jessica Grill from Manchester, says that extending serving until 2 a.m. would make New Hampshire competitive with other states like Vermont and Massachusetts, which are already staying open late. She told Seacoastonline that New Hampshire has one of the earliest statewide closing times in the country!

Almost three-quarters of states have laws establishing last call as 2 a.m. or later. That includes Vermont and Massachusetts, which already allow bars and restaurants to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. HB 1227 will align our liquor laws more closely with our neighbors and will make our state more competitive.

What about safety concerns with an extra hour of drinking in Portsmouth, New Hampshire?

It's a concern. In fact, officers from the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s Division of Enforcement testified against the bill. They think that people are only thinking about the industry side of this bill, when it should be a safety and law enforcement standpoint. The point was brought up that more enforcement means longer hours and more pay that will land on taxpayers.

"Nothing good happens after midnight"

The New Hampshire Lodging and Restaurant Association said the number one comment from people who opposed the bill was, "Nothing good happens after midnight."

It may be true, but this isn't mandatory, and if a place wanted to shut down alcohol at 1 a.m., it sure could. What do you think?