By Mike Brassfield, Times Staff Writer
Thursday, August 19, 2010
CLEARWATER — Bar owners have convinced City Council to agree to a 3 a.m. closing time, even though Clearwater officials had been leaning toward 2 a.m.
Several bar owners and bartenders appeared before the council Wednesday night, saying that a 2 a.m. closing time would put them at a disadvantage because St. Petersburg, Tampa and neighboring cities like Largo are going with 3 a.m.
Owners of Clearwater Beach locations said European tourists who vacation at the beach are accustomed to establishments staying open late.
In late July, Pinellas County extended bar hours to 3 a.m. countywide. Pinellas cities that want to keep closing time at 2 a.m. must pass local laws limiting bar hours in their jurisdictions.
Largo city commissioners voted Tuesday night for 3 a.m. Dunedin city commissioners will vote tonight.
Members of Clearwater's City Council had initially worried that a 3 a.m. cutoff time would lead to more drunk driving. However, they also don't want people driving drunk across city limits to get to an out-of-town bar with a later closing time.
"As I have seen the surrounding cities go with 3 a.m., I am more concerned about people driving out of Clearwater and driving back," said Mayor Frank Hibbard.
The Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Clearwater Beach Chamber of Commerce both argued on behalf of a 3 a.m. closing time.
