Is It a Good Idea For Bars To Stay Open Until 4 AM?

It seems like such a long time ago, but growing up in Chicago the drinking age of course was 21. But in Wisconsin, the drinking age was 19 for beer and wine, so being the smart kids we were, we would drive 90 minutes to southern Wisconsin so we could dink in a bar legally. Silly, huh? But we were kids. Plus the bars in Wisconsin were open till 4AM instead of 2AM. Win win right? Maybe as long as you did not drive after.

Well Michigan bars may have two more hours to serve up beers and cocktails. There's a new bill that may be adopted in the state House this week according to The Detroit Free Press.

The bill would allow bars to stay open and serve alcohol until 4AM if a city or township passes the change. The law now states that businesses can't sell alcohol for on-premise consumption between 2AM and 7AM. Bars will have to pay $250 annually if they want to stay open till 4AM.

So how does our Governor feel about this bill?  Gretchen Whitmer voted in favor of bars staying open to the wee hours of the morning. Right now bars remain under some restrictions because of the coronavirus pandemic. Michigan health officials continue to say bars are likely places where the virus can spread.

I think there are pros and cons to the bars staying open till 4AM.  I worry about more people driving under the influence. I also think maybe bars should provide complimentary coffee and food toward closing time.

What are your thoughts on this?