Last call explained

In a bar, a last call (last orders) is an announcement made shortly before the bar closes for the night, informing patrons of their last chance to buy alcoholic beverages. There are various means to make the signal, like ringing a bell, flashing the lights, or announcing verbally.

Last call times are often legally mandated and vary widely globally as well as locally. Legislation's purposes include reducing late night noise in the neighborhood, traffic crashes, violence, and alcohol related health problems.[1]

Australia

In New South Wales, there is no specified closing time, but in residential areas, bars are often required to close at midnight. In non-residential areas, some bars are open 24 hours. A six-hour daily closure period applies to new licenses (and extended hours authorizations) granted from 30 October 2008, which is nominated depending on individual and community circumstances.[2]

During a significant part of the early 20th century, bars in Australia and New Zealand were closed at 6p.m. by law. The resulting rush to buy drinks after work was known as the six o'clock swill.

Austria

Bar closing hours in Austria are regulated by the federated states. In most states bars must close at 4a.m. although many places have special permits to close later. In the capital, Vienna, bars and clubs are allowed to stay open until 6a.m. Alcohol is allowed to be served until the bar or club closes.

Belgium

There is no legally mandated last call in Belgium; many bars will stay open all night.

Brazil

There is no legally mandated last call in Brazil; many bars will stay open all night. Some cities have laws that require bars to close during the early morning hours.

Canada

China

Many bars, KTVs and nightclubs have no specific last call and will continue to sell alcohol and stay open provided there are paying customers present. During times when national security is increased (i.e. the Olympics, the 60th Anniversary of the PRC), closing times may be in effect in some cities between 1 and 2a.m. Alcohol is sold through retailers 24 hours a day.

Croatia

Establishments that serve drinks may register as bars and may be open in inhabited areas only indoors and only between 9p.m. and 6a.m., but no such restrictions exist if bars are located outside inhabited areas. Various exceptions can be made for bars located in transit facilities, if approved by the local authorities, etc.[4] The prescribed working hours for bars are a frequent point of contention between city authorities and local businessmen, particularly during the summer tourist season.[5]

Finland

Bars are allowed to serve drinks until 1:30 a.m., but a provincial government may at the proprietor's request, grant extensions up to 4a.m. Extensions require the establishment to maintain a higher standard of amenities, service and entertainment by, for example, providing a coat check, entertainment programming such as a DJ or live music, and even general cleanliness and "look and feel" count. The laws were loosened beginning of 2018.

A last call is not announced per se, but as a custom, the lights are flashed a few times (or in case of a dimly lit establishment such as a nightclub, all lights are left on) to notify the customers that serving drinks is over. In Finnish lexicon "valomerkki" (lit. "Light signal") has become a common synonym for ending any activities for the night.

Germany

Bar closing hours in Germany are regulated by the federated states or cities. Since the 2000s, many federated states and cities have none or relaxed regulations. In many states and cities bars are open as long as there are customers.

Open-air locations such as beer gardens often must close at 11p.m. or 12a.m. to reduce noise pollution. Exceptions may exist for weekends, Carnival and New Year's Eve. Not all cities strictly enforce the regulation.

Greece

In Greece, all bars, cafeterias, clubs and the like will stay open as long as there are customers inside. Usually, cafeterias stay open until 11p.m., bars until 2a.m. and clubs until early in the morning, but there is no last call. In 1994, Stelios Papathemelis, the Minister for Public Order, passed a law mandating closing of all bars at 2a.m. The law was widely unpopular, never materialized fully and was abolished a few years later.

India

India closing time of bars vary in different states. In Delhi it is 1am, Mumbai 1:30am, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata at midnight.[6] In Chandigarh it is 1a.m. weekdays and 2a.m. weekends. In Bangalore it is 11:30 p.m. on weekdays and 1am on Friday and Saturday nights.[7]

Ireland

Bar closing hours are governed by the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2000. Generally, bars must close at 23:30 Monday to Thursday, 00:30 on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday closing time is 23.00. There are special provisions for certain holidays and festivals. Bars may get an extended license until 02:30 any night.

On 25 October 2022,[8] the Government announced a reform of licensing laws in the Sale of Alcohol Bill 2022. If passed, the law would permit bars to open until 00:30 every day. "Late bars" would continue to be permitted to open until 02:30, and nightclubs would be permitted to open until 06:00 (with the sale of alcohol ending at 05:00).

Israel

In Israel, there are no specific closing times and the country has liberal alcohol laws. Bars and clubs in entertainment districts will serve alcohol practically 24 hours a day, while in residential districts local regulations apply; establishments that serve alcohol outside may often have to call their guests inside after midnight or even close completely.

In 2006, Knesset member Ruhama Avraham attempted to pass a bill in parliament that would forbid selling alcohol between 2 and 6a.m.[9] The bill faced severe resistance from bar and restaurant owners and finally was drawn back.

In Tel Aviv, bars are fined for remaining open past 1a.m. Though few bars actually close at that time, they are forced to pay the "back-door" tax to the municipality, with no recourse to the national government. A number of bars are contemplated closing at the required time and during internationally promoted events such as Gay Pride Week in protest of the city's underhanded hypocrisy in promoting itself as "the city that never sleeps" but also fining the very establishments that make it such a hot tourist spot.

Alcohol is no longer sold around the clock in grocery stores, and no sales are allowed between 11p.m. and 6a.m.

Italy

Italy does not have a legally mandated closing time. Alcohol may be served or sold anywhere 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.In Rome, an ordinance was passed in January 2009 to make 2a.m. the last call in Campo de' Fiori and the neighbourhoods of Trastevere and Testaccio.[10] The new last call time for these areas was initiated to curtail nighttime commotion in those popular parts of Rome.

Japan

Japan does not have a legally mandated closing time. Alcohol may be served or sold anywhere 24 hours a day.

New Zealand

Until December 18, 2013, bars could close at any time they wanted (often 7am). Since December 18, 2013, all bars and nightclubs must close at 3 or 4am. Special conditions apply on Holy/ Maundy Thursday, Holy Saturday (Easter Eve), the day before ANZAC day and Christmas Eve, when bars must close their doors by midnight. Private bars and workingmen's clubs may stay open beyond that curfew.

Norway

Last call laws vary.

City-specific laws:

3a.m.

2:30 a.m. - 3a.m. at places that plays live music.

2a.m.

3a.m., only for venues that are 21+

2:30 a.m.

1:30 a.m.

3a.m.

3a.m.

3a.m.

1:30 a.m.

2a.m.

2a.m.

3a.m.

3a.m.

3a.m.

3a.m.

2a.m.

2a.m.

2a.m.

2a.m.

2a.m.

Out of the 429 counties of Norway, almost 50% have established a closing time or "last call" at 2a.m. Only 1 in 7 counties serves drinks until the maximum allowance at 3a.m. That is a major decrease over the last few years because of the government's belief that reduced drinking hours equal less fighting, noise, disturbance, etc.

Sweden

In Sweden, explicit last calls do not take place, as it would violate a political principle not to encourage people to drink more. The latest allowed closing time of bars and restaurant is decided by the municipality but regulated by national laws and rules. The standard latest time is 1a.m. But in many cities a later time can be allowed on some conditions, like high security and staff educated in responsible serving of alcohol. In some of the largest cities, a closing time as late as 5a.m. occurs.[11] During the coronavirus pandemic 2020-2021 the alcohol law was used to limit the number of visitors to bars and restaurants (only for those serving alcohol) by setting the closing time to 8p.m.

Turkey

Turkey does not have a legally mandated closing time. In the new Turkish system, alcohol may no longer be sold in grocery stores past 11pm, but may still be sold in bars and clubs with no legally mandated last call.

United Kingdom

Standard closing time was 11pm, but increased flexibility was allowed in November 2005 under the Licensing Act 2003.

The average "Last Call" time is between 11pm and 1am in municipalities such as Birmingham and London. This information was taken from two hundred bars from 2014 to 2016. Bars and clubs may apply for individual licenses that allow them to close at any time between 11pm and 3am. Some establishments in large cities have 24-hour licenses.

United States

In the U.S., the last call time varies mostly on state, county and/or municipality.

State-specific laws:

The governing authority of any municipality within a parish with a population between fifty-three thousand and sixty thousand persons according to the most recent federal decennial census may enact ordinances to regulate the closing times of bars located within the municipality, subject to approval by a majority of the qualified electors of the municipality voting at an election held for the purpose.

Last call is 1a.m., and establishments must be closed by 2a.m.

City-specific laws:

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Last Call Fact Sheet . Marininstitute.org . 2009-08-15 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090610194204/http://www.marininstitute.org/alcohol_policy/last_call.htm . June 10, 2009 .
  2. New South Wales Government Office of Liquor, Gaming and Racing (2009). Fact sheet: On-premises license . Retrieved on January 26, 2011.
  3. Web site: Liquor Retail Stores - Applying for a Liquor Licence - Liquor Control and Licensing Branch . Pssg.gov.bc.ca . 2013-07-31.
  4. Web site: Hospitality and catering industry act . . . 2006-12-08 . 2012-03-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120916212737/http://www.mint.hr/UserDocsImages/act-tourism-catering.pdf . 2012-09-16 . dead .
  5. News: Ugostitelji tijekom sezone žele raditi dulje . . hr . 2011-07-01 . 2012-03-29 .
  6. Web site: E-Paper - The Times Group . 2023-10-29 . epaper.timesgroup.com.
  7. News: Time to party, Bangalore's 1am nightlife deadline stays | Bengaluru News - Times of India. The Times of India.
  8. Web site: Minister McEntee to reform Ireland's antiquated licensing laws . 25 October 2022 . Department of Justice . 2022-10-25 .
  9. Web site: ועדת השרים אישרה הצעה לסגור פאבים ב-2 בלילה - חדשות -הארץ . Haaretz.co.il . 2009-08-15 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110605093609/http://www.haaretz.co.il/hasite/spages/777898.html . 2011-06-05 .
  10. Web site: Povoledo . Elisabetta . NYTimes.com: Globespotters Blog — Ban in Rome Bars Booze . . 2009-01-19 . 2009-08-15.
  11. http://foretag.stockholm.se/Tillstand/tillstandsenheten/Lagar-regler-och-riktlinjer/Riktlinjer/ Riktlinjer för serveringstillstånd
  12. Web site: Google Drive Viewer . 2013-07-31.
  13. Web site: Laws and Regulations FAQs . Abra.dc.gov . 2013-07-31 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130507060350/http://abra.dc.gov/DC/ABRA/Education+and+Services/Knowledgebase/Frequently+Asked+Questions/Laws+and+Regulations#4 . 2013-05-07 .
  14. News: Gregory. Sarah. Pinellas County approves 3 a.m. closing time for bars. 2010-07-28. St. Petersburg Times. 2010-07-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20100731042332/http://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/pinellas-county-approves-3-am-closing-time-for-bars/1111544. 2010-07-31. dead.
  15. Web site: La. Stat. tit. 26 § 493.1, Local regulatory ordinances; bar closing in certain municipalities . 2023-08-20.
  16. Web site: Section 179:17 Hours of Sales. . 2023-04-06 . www.gencourt.state.nh.us.
  17. Web site: Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Chapter 105.03. "A mixed beverage permittee may sell and offer for sale mixed beverages between 7 a.m. and midnight on any day except Sunday. On Sunday he may sell mixed beverages between midnight and 1:00 a.m. and between 10 a.m. and midnight, except that an alcoholic beverage served to a customer between 10 a.m. and 12 noon on Sunday must be provided during the service of food to the customer.... In a city or county having a population of 800,000 or more, according to the last preceding federal census, or 500,000 or more,... a holder of a mixed beverage late hours permit may also sell and offer for sale mixed beverages between midnight and 2 a.m. on any day.". 2016-02-20 . 2019-04-30.
  18. Web site: Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, Chapter 105.06. "In a standard hours area, a person commits an offense if he consumes or possesses with intent to consume an alcoholic beverage in a public place at any time on Sunday between 1:15 a.m. and 12 noon or on any other day between 12:15 a.m. and 7 a.m. ... In an extended hours area, a person commits an offense if he consumes or possesses with intent to consume an alcoholic beverage in a public place at any time on Sunday between 2:15 a.m. and 12 noon and on any other day between 2:15 a.m. and 7 a.m.". 2016-02-20 . 2019-04-30.
  19. Web site: 87(R) HB 1518 - Enrolled version - Bill Text.
  20. Web site: Wac 314-11-070.
  21. Web site: Here's When Bars Have Last Call In Every State. 3 March 2015 . 2015-03-03.
  22. Web site: Municode Library.
  23. Web site: ARTICLE I. - IN GENERAL . Municode.com . 2011-04-17.
  24. Web site: Municode Library.

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