There’s a move afoot to extend Atlanta bar hours from 2:30 to 4 a.m., which is a plan we at the Buckhead Coalition believe to be ill-conceived. We’re sensitive to the fact there’s a generational factor at play, and each is entitled to a different agenda. But there’s no denying the reality there is a negative impact on quality of life on those who need to sleep.
As a native Atlantan, I’ve witnessed our growth — our maturity — in many quarters. I was mayor when we first claimed to be “international” because we had a nonstop flight to Mexico City! Before that, I brought about the change to nonpartisan local government, allowing Republicans a seat at the table. I could name other breakthroughs, and I can predict there will be many more in the years ahead.
Having been president of the City Council for eight years (then called the Board of Aldermen), I can give firsthand testimony to the hard work our elected officials perform. This bar closing time issue is one of those that generate heavy pressure both pro and con, and I respect the sincere consideration given such subjects.
There will be arguments about loss of business, about needed tax revenue, about city image, about patron behavior, about crime stats, about competing jurisdictions, even about constitutional rights and racial discrimination. But what can’t be dismissed is the absolute damage to quality of life.
As a board member of the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, I’ve been told that never has a convention group — or even an individual tourist — asked what time our bars close to base a travel decision. A 4 a.m. closing time will not increase Atlanta’s tourist or convention business.
For those who do not know, our city has a 4 a.m. closing time at Underground, which serves well as an entertainment district, far removed from most residents, and served by abundant adjacent parking facilities. Special dispensation to this location is considered warranted as well because the taxpayers of Atlanta are paying for its deficit financing.
There is no denying there are some responsible bar operators who carefully patrol the alcohol consumption in their premises, and in our community of Buckhead we welcome them as part of the economic mix of businesses compatible with surrounding residences. We all know, however, in whatever part of Atlanta you reside, there has been bar life that resulted in intoxicated behavior with fights, damage of private property and worse.
Extensive policing is an effective deterrent, but this is expensive and increases with longer serving hours. Our police chief, George Turner, will attest to this and is the first to note that crime dropped when the hours dropped a few years ago.
We in the Buckhead Coalition — and we believe Midtown Alliance and Central Atlanta Progress will agree — do not want the hours extended, and we urge the public to join us in a plea to the mayor and City Council to reject any move for such a step backward.
At the same time, I’m always willing to seek an alternative if it will serve the needs others are espousing. Such a plan would be to allow hotel bars to stay open to 4 a.m., as here you have mature management that won’t let the business get out of hand to disturb any in the environs. There are convenient hotel properties all over the city, downtown, Midtown Buckhead and elsewhere, and these are the locations housing the tourists and conventioneers. So, if the proponents are sincere, this can be the answer.
But if the reason is purely political, take note that there are many more people who want to sleep at night than those who want to drink at night.
Sam Massell is president of the Buckhead Coalition and a former mayor of Atlanta.
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