Tuscaloosa bars will extend Sunday hours

Saturday
Dec 30, 2017 at 9:30 PM

By Stephen Dethrage Staff Writer

Bars in Tuscaloosa will stay open later than they’re normally allowed to Sunday night in observance of New Year’s Eve.

Sunday alcohol sales have been legal in the Druid City only since 2011, when citizens overwhelmingly voted in favor of a referendum legalizing the practice.

After the vote, the Tuscaloosa City Council amended municipal code to stipulate bars can sell and serve drinks from noon to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays. City leaders also thought ahead and specified that when Dec. 31 happened to fall on a Sunday, normal rules would no longer apply.

Since Dec. 31 falls on a Sunday this year, bars in Tuscaloosa will be allowed to sell alcohol from noon Sunday until 1:45 Monday morning.

City Councilman Matt Calderone represents District 4, which houses most of the University of Alabama, the Strip and downtown Tuscaloosa. He praised the 2011 council for its foresight on the matter and said the relaxed rules will mean a boost to the city’s economy as people look to celebrate Sunday night.

“I think it was a wise decision that the previous city leaders made to have that exception for New Year’s Eve when it falls on Sunday, so that’s not something we have to hurry to address now,” Calderone said. “This will be a very positive thing for our local businesses that are offering drinks and entertainment this weekend.”

Bars across the city will take advantage, offering drink specials, live DJs or band and complimentary champagne served at midnight.

Downtown, parties are planned at the Alcove International Tavern on 22nd Avenue, the Wheelhouse Sports Pub in Temerson Square, the Gray Lady on Greensboro Avenue and more.

Dan Brislin, one of the owners of Gray Lady, said the exception written in the city ordinance is just common sense and will benefit bars across the city.

“Nobody wants to celebrate the New Year at nine o’clock,” Brislin said. “So we’re definitely glad the city made that amendment or exception to the rule when the law was passed to give us the night of New Year’s Eve, even though it’s on a Sunday.”

 

Reach Stephen Dethrage at stephen.dethrage@tuscaloosanews.com or 722-0227.

Saturday
Dec 30, 2017 at 9:30 PM

By Stephen Dethrage Staff Writer

Bars in Tuscaloosa will stay open later than they’re normally allowed to Sunday night in observance of New Year’s Eve.

Sunday alcohol sales have been legal in the Druid City only since 2011, when citizens overwhelmingly voted in favor of a referendum legalizing the practice.

After the vote, the Tuscaloosa City Council amended municipal code to stipulate bars can sell and serve drinks from noon to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays. City leaders also thought ahead and specified that when Dec. 31 happened to fall on a Sunday, normal rules would no longer apply.

Since Dec. 31 falls on a Sunday this year, bars in Tuscaloosa will be allowed to sell alcohol from noon Sunday until 1:45 Monday morning.

City Councilman Matt Calderone represents District 4, which houses most of the University of Alabama, the Strip and downtown Tuscaloosa. He praised the 2011 council for its foresight on the matter and said the relaxed rules will mean a boost to the city’s economy as people look to celebrate Sunday night.

“I think it was a wise decision that the previous city leaders made to have that exception for New Year’s Eve when it falls on Sunday, so that’s not something we have to hurry to address now,” Calderone said. “This will be a very positive thing for our local businesses that are offering drinks and entertainment this weekend.”

Bars across the city will take advantage, offering drink specials, live DJs or band and complimentary champagne served at midnight.

Downtown, parties are planned at the Alcove International Tavern on 22nd Avenue, the Wheelhouse Sports Pub in Temerson Square, the Gray Lady on Greensboro Avenue and more.

Dan Brislin, one of the owners of Gray Lady, said the exception written in the city ordinance is just common sense and will benefit bars across the city.

“Nobody wants to celebrate the New Year at nine o’clock,” Brislin said. “So we’re definitely glad the city made that amendment or exception to the rule when the law was passed to give us the night of New Year’s Eve, even though it’s on a Sunday.”

 

Reach Stephen Dethrage at stephen.dethrage@tuscaloosanews.com or 722-0227.

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