April 13, 2015
A bill expected to make its way to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives would allow bars and nightclubs to stay open until 4 a.m.
The legislation, which Democratic State Representative Jordan Harris plans to introduce, would give businesses the opportunity to apply for extended use permits that would let them serve alcohol two hours past the current 2 a.m. closing time.
A news release from Harris' office said that the intention was to encourage young adults to stay in the state and give local governments another source of revenue. The legislation would make businesses who receive the permits pay an additional 10 percent of what they already pay in their yearly liquor license fee, with half going to the state and the other half going to the local municipality.
Harris, who represents the state's 186th Legislative District, including part of Southwest Philadelphia, stressed that the bill could have a significant economic impact in the state's bigger cities, specifically his home city and Pittsburgh. The extension is not necessarily intended for your favorite corner bar, the news release said:
"Specifically in Philadelphia, these permits will not be targeted as something local neighborhood bars would be applying for, but more along the lines of economic development drivers in areas that attract more tourism, such as Delaware Avenue and other areas of entertainment," it said.
The bill would also require a public hearing for each permit application in the municipality where the bar or nightclub does business.
