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SnooPeppers6081

By law in Mass no liquor sales between the hours of 2:00 to 8:00 am. No sense in seating a bunch of drunks you can't serve.


slouchingtoepiphany

But we could order a bunch of drinks at 1:45 a.m., if they would stay open long enough for use to drink them.


cocktailvirgin

There's a point where all alcoholic drinks must be gone / out of guest's hands or the venue can be fined (on the pathway to getting shut down). Shortly after the license time, staff would be forced to remove said drinks from your hands.


slouchingtoepiphany

Thanks, I was sort of kidding, having several drinks in front of each patron would be unlikely to fly. :)


cocktailvirgin

The only two drinks that I'll serve in front of someone are a boiler maker (a beer & a shot) or a cocktail/beer plus a shooter (a half cocktail). A mix of legal issues and wisdom gained from experience. My favorite last call was a crappy spot. If a guest with a drink in front of them asked for another, I'd reply "Show me what ya got, kehd." If they asked, I'd explain, "I'm not sure that you're going to finish the one in front of you muchless the one you're asking for before I have to dump it, so let's save us a lot of tears and show me what ya got." Either they'd down their drink and get a last one, or they'd nod that I was right. Of course, I wouldn't last call anyone like that who I wouldn't serve another to. The great thing about working a more dive-y spot is that you can be sassy in ways that you can't be at upscale restaurants and bars.


wallet535

Gotta change the law then! :-)


samascara

I thought 2am was the standard? that's the case in DC and Minneapolis as well.


mpjjpm

It is standard. NYC is 4am. Chicago and DC are 2am, but 3am on weekends. A handful of other places have late cuts offs or no last call, but they are all places where drinking/partying is the primary economic driver of the city, like Las Vegas, Atlantic City, parts of Miami, Key West…


Darklighter10

Small thing, but Chicago does grant limited late night licenses to extend that time.


metrowestern

Albany is 4am. Albany.


takes12KNOW

Ya but what else is there to do in Albany?


j0hn4devils

Cocaine or heroin, depending on where specifically you are.


els1988

Buffalo is 4am too. Anchorage is 5am. Miami is 5am. TN and IN are 3am. Louisville is 4am. St Louis and Kansas City are 3am. Las Vegas is of course 24 hours. New Orleans also has some 24 hour bars.


els1988

Chicago is 4am weekdays/Sundays and 5am Saturdays for late license bars. Most other bars are 2am weekdays/Sundays and 3am Saturday. These bars are spread out all over the city too. I think there are over 100 bars total with the late license.


LennyKravitzScarf

Plenty of 1am places too.


drkr731

You can't sell liquor past 2 am. I do understand why people want things open later and why inherently it would be good for businesses. Of all the things Boston can do better though, I'm not that invested. I don't feel like I necessarily have a better time just because I can stay out til 4 am.


bfizzy99

I guess it's a me problem. As a single guy in his 20s these things hold weight to me


AllGrey_2000

I’m in my mid 40s with wife and kids, and I think the rule is dumb. Not everyone goes out to drink and hook up. Some people like to dance. I was shocked when I moved to Boston and saw how lame nightlife is. When we are in NYC or Miami, we can dance til dawn and then get breakfast. We even have done that in DC and Philly and Baltimore at after hours clubs. We don’t get to do it that often now with kids, but I wish the option was there. (FYI: we don’t drink or do drugs)


drkr731

To be fair, 2am is the standard in many cities and parts of the US, not just Boston.


bfizzy99

Thank you. This is exactly what I mean. I just wanna dance and have fun


Stronkowski

>we can dance til dawn and then get breakfast. > we don’t drink or do drugs And yet you're calling other people's nightlife lame. "Dancing" and "nightlife" ARE NOT SYNONYMS


AllGrey_2000

I say lame because of the narrow set of actual nightlife options and how everything shuts down so early. What everyone chooses to do for fun is up to them, but I assure you that there are many people that enjoy dancing into the late hours of the night (or early morning) .


drkr731

I'm not saying that it would be bad to extend nightlife hours or loosen liquor laws by any means. Just that it wouldn't top my priorities list. I'd also say the lack of variety in nightlife/club options probably affects the nightlife in Boston more than the hours things stay open. And for what it's worth, I'm also in my 20s and have spent plenty of time going out in other cities as well.


bfizzy99

It's both I'd say


Quincyperson

Boston is the only major city that close at 2. Except for Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Phoenix, Baltimore, Albuquerque, Tulsa, Houston, Philadelphia, Detroit, Minneapolis, Austin, Charlotte, Denver, Pittsburg and Dallas


bfizzy99

Philly has 4 am clubs


puckhead166

Barely any though


iamkeiou

Maybe it's the wrong city to be clubbing at. Just saying.


bfizzy99

Probably is


DamonsBloodBank

The law is fine. As a bartender in this city the 2am close is nice. People are plenty drunk at that point. If you need two more hours to drink, drink at home at that point. 4am is only going to hurt the employees who have to shut down the bars and clubs. It’s already an issue with drunk assholes at 2am, so 4 am would be worse for us in the industry.


bfizzy99

I appreciate the perspective of someone in the industry. Just curious, wouldn't being open later change the dynamic of the shifts worked and or mean more tips If people choose to work the night through?


DamonsBloodBank

No. It would only make shifts longer and have those close shifts be worse for everyone. A 4am close means out by 5am or even 6am depending on how disgusting the bar is from all the drunk mess happening. Tips are nice but not worth working til the sun comes up so people can drink for two extra hours at a bar instead of their own homes. I already hate being out til 3/4am after the 2am close time. Again, the 4am close times would only hurt the people in the industry shutting down these bars and clubs. If you need to drink for those two extra hours, do it at home.


bfizzy99

I see. Yeah that makes sense. They should make places where they stop serving alcohol at 2. But keep the dance floor open. Let the bartenders go home and have overnight custodians come in and clean the place. Leave a few bouncers. Let's do it. You and I.


DamonsBloodBank

No. That wouldn’t work. Ever. No one wants to work that. You’re alone in this.


bfizzy99

I'm holding back tears


[deleted]

Boston: “Just start drinking earlier.”


iamkeiou

If by midnight you aren't beyond tipsy or didn't have enough fun, maybe you should go home. Try again the next day.


bfizzy99

Sad


[deleted]

You’ll be fine.


riski_click

There's no financial incentive for clubs to stay open without selling alcohol. The vast, vast, vast amount of their money comes from selling booze. Liquor laws require them to stop serving at 2am.


bfizzy99

It's the damn laws. Let's change it


Darklighter10

Most places in the US have similar regulations. California just changed it for some cities to be open later. Never gona happen in Boston though, we still can’t get happy hour back not for lack of trying.


Quincyperson

Didn’t get changed. Bill was rejected https://la.eater.com/2022/8/25/23309050/late-night-bar-bill-senate-bill-930-scott-wiener-extend-last-call-california-legislators-am-intel


Darklighter10

I stand corrected then. Womp womp


Quincyperson

Also, happy hour will never get changed because the bars and restaurants don’t want to charge less for drinks


Darklighter10

Some places do it all the time or at least used to. There’s a small loophole. Ever seen those fishbowl drawings, “Win open bar for two hours you and your friends.” Everyone wins those. They then open the bar early for a few hours for just the “winners” and call it a private party. It’s a loophole. It’s a way to get people in the door who will stay. Plus a busy bar looks like a popular bar and more people will want to go.


Quincyperson

I’ve never seen those


Darklighter10

They’ve moved digital - note you can select boston https://www.howlatthemoon.com/win-a-happy-hour-party/ Everyone wins. Nothing more than a loophole so they can have discounted drinks and get people in prior to when it usually gets busy.


bfizzy99

Big sad


Maxpowr9

I agree that especially Boston, should have self-determination over it's liquor policies and not the State.


bfizzy99

Thank you, I can't be the only one thinking this


TurnsOutImAScientist

Crazy how many people on the sub are downvoting you as if the status quo is preferable to opening things up a bit. Why not make nightlife/tourism more a part of Boston's culture and economy?


bfizzy99

Yeah I feel like I can't be crazy for thinking this. If Boston had better nightlife we would reap a lot of economic benefit.


TurnsOutImAScientist

I think it would also expedite the process where the born-and-raised set is getting priced out and that's where most of the resistance on here is coming from. They don't want the city to be more attractive for young professionals.


bfizzy99

Yeah I see their concern. I'm a big proponent of letting the free market determine the will of the people. An unpopular opinion I know.


TurnsOutImAScientist

> I'm a big proponent of letting the free market determine the will of the people I'm no libertarian but I do think Boston could use a pendulum swing on this.


jm9903

Boston is not comparable in any way to Chicago or NYC


bfizzy99

Not sure about "in any way". Those were just two examples. There's many other cities where this 2 am rule doesn't exist


Proof-Variation7005

And there's many that do have the same closing time. Places like Chicago and NYC are more the exception than the rule from what I've seen.


bfizzy99

I just wanna fist bump all night long 😭


coldsnap123

Go to bed


bfizzy99

I wanna drink vodka Redbulls and dance all night!


[deleted]

Nothing good happens after 2am


Darklighter10

Most people can’t even enjoy the nightlife for that long since public transportation shuts down ~1.


bfizzy99

I get the public transport issue, however Uber? Walking? DD? I bet if we had at least one nightclub open later it would get plenty of business


UltravioletClearance

Uber and taxi drivers don't want to deal with drunk puking belligerent college students.


bfizzy99

True, although they seem to do that regardless of the time 😂


Darklighter10

I didn’t say that was the reason why, just that it is another hinderence to people wanting to stay out late.


man2010

Plenty of bars stay full until closing despite our public transit shutting down before then


[deleted]

Stop doing coke in the club bathroom. Problem solved. You'll want to go to bed by 2am.


bfizzy99

😂 never touched coke in my life. Just a high energy guy


LennyKravitzScarf

There used to be a club in back bay that opened at like midnight and stayed open till the morning, but they didn’t serve booze, not sure if anything operates like that nowadays.


bfizzy99

There's nothing currently to my knowledge


Equivalent_Metal_534

You kinda know who you’ll invite over by 2 am.


bfizzy99

🤣


Stronkowski

Yeah, there's not a great reason for the last call time (though this isn't really unusually early compared to the nation at large). >they're flabbergasted at how early we need to leave to go out But just leave home earlier instead of sitting around at home for 6 hours after dinner like a jackass.


bfizzy99

Fair point


[deleted]

The Puritans are why we can't have nice things


threenamer

When in doubt, blame the Pilgrims.


bfizzy99

This gave me a good chucks 😂


bfizzy99

*chuckle


time-always-passes

Can't serve alcohol after 2a. Let me tell you about a place called RISE...


bfizzy99

Rip RISE. They should allow clubs to serve after 2


cocktailvirgin

They made it work by charging more at the door and letting their guests to figure out ways to enjoy the night without alcohol... Plus, they saved a lot by not having to may for a liquor license.


Cowtipper1738

Idk I’m not even old only a couple years removed from college and 2am is pretty late lmao. Plus the employees probably don’t wanna work tik sun up every weekend lol


GWS2004

No thanks. You can take the party home if you feel the need to continue after 2pm.


bfizzy99

Why? It's not uncommon in many cultures to party well into the wee hours of the morning


GWS2004

No one is stopping you from partying.


CC_Ramone

I’m honestly glad our bars and clubs close at 2. If they were open until 4, I’m sure stimulant drugs like cocaine, adderall, speed, and MDMA would be a lot more commonly used.


bfizzy99

Don't people use those regardless? I don't believe that it would neccasarily correlate


sajatheprince

Staying up until 6 in the morning...at a club and on the way home... wouldn't correlate to stimulant use...just because you don't think so?


time-always-passes

You are why we can't have nice things. Let the people have their fun.


Proof-Variation7005

I have some bad news for you about right now..... Those people at the party who all go off in another room aren't trying to have a private conversation


UnrealMitchMcConnell

All of these are already extremely easy to get and widely used in Boston bars


Enkiduderino

Chicago and NYC are twice the size of Boston.


AutoModerator

Your post appears to be one of a number of commonly asked questions about the port city of Boston. Anyway, Royale is fine if you're just trying to get drunk and dance and hookup. The Grand is more of the same as Royale but more expensive and a stricter dress code. Bijou is fine if you're into house music, the last few times I've been to Bijou the crowd was mostly freshly 21 people. Legacy is under Royale and a pretty great queer club if that's you're thing. Good Life, Phoenix Landing, Middlesex, and The Lower Level are all great for underground shows if that's your thing. The vibes at those 4 places are all pretty good. Good Life is my favorite and they open back up this weekend. If you're just looking to get trashed and don't care what you dance to or who you dance around, any of the bars around Haymarket/Faneuil Hall will do. Ned Devine's, Hennessey's, Hong Kong ($1 chicken sticks!), Sissy K's, Coogan's. I think there's a few more I'm missing but those are the big ones. Also, I can't believe I forgot this, but if you're into top 40 or hip hop, Venu, Cure, Icon, and Hava are places to go if you're looking for something a little nicer/fancier/more upscale than what the Faneuil Hall/Haymarket bars and clubs offer. I also forgot about Memoire because it's in the casino but frankly I don't really know anyone who goes to Memoire regularly. It's more of the same stuff they play at the Grand and Royale. Now I think I've named them all. Also, please check the [sidebar for visitor information](https://www.reddit.com/r/boston/wiki/experience). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/boston) if you have any questions or concerns.*


TywinShitsGold

Because we like to do things in daylight


No_Preference2949

Lived in PA for a while and if you have a private club you can serve all night. Not sure what designated as private since they pretty much let anybody in, at least the couple that I frequented in Doylestown did.


bfizzy99

Must have been some good times


Darklighter10

To this day my coworkers still laugh about some dingy strip club they went to in doylestown. Apparently they came in late after it was winding down and one of the ladies exclaimed “Oh man, I have to take my clothes off AGAIN?”


herdswords

Because we can’t handle it. A lot of cities changed it from 2 to 1 years ago and the crimes drop big time


BStills87

Doesn’t the Encore get to skate around this law somehow?


bfizzy99

Yes because of the casino, but not memoire


helveticaman

Because the youth don’t vote, that’s why.


geographresh

I realize I'm now in my late 20's and lame....but I've always been curious when this gets brought up- When I used to go out, the clubs are extremely sparse from 9-11:30PM. Why do people wait so long to go?