Tuesday, a Southern California legislator proposing a counter resolution to SB-58, a bill which would allow bars in some California cities, to stay open longer.
Inside FAB, a nightclub in Fresno’s Tower District, a small relaxed crowd, Tuesday night.
The bar is open until 2 a.m.
“We need to allow people to be adults, and we need to treat them as adults,” FAB Fresno co-owner Terry Story said. “And what it allows, is people to go home at their own time.”
Under SB-58, bars in 10 cities across California, including FAB, would be able to stay open until 4 in the morning.
Tuesday, protesters in Downtown Los Angeles, anything but chill about the bill.
“If this passes, we expect more assaults, more DUI’s, more injuries and more deaths,” Los Angeles Councilman Paul Koretz said to a crowd.
Koretz behind the latest counter-attack.
Some, saying the proposal is not safe, and could mean more alcohol-related crashes.
“I just think this is a disastrous idea,” Koretz said. “It will be similar to what happened when we reduced the drinking age from 21 to 18, lots of people died, lots were injured.”
FAB owners Terry Story and Cisco Mendez, disagree.
“Right now, at 2 o’clock, all bars close, you’re pushing them out onto the streets,” Story said.
Also saying, bar staff already watches for anyone past their limit.
“We also have our own Uber app here for FAB,” FAB Fresno co-owner Cisco Mendez said. “If people are too drunk, we send them home ourselves, we pay for it out of our pocket.”
The last vote on the “last call bill” was in July.
The bill is going through committees right now.
If passed, it would mean a 5-year trial period.