The wild nights of reveling and drinking until 5 a.m as you stroll along the famous outdoor cafes of South Beach could soon be a thing of the past.
Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, and commissioners, asked the city attorney Wednesday to draft an ordinance that would ban alcohol after 2 a.m. at least at outdoor cafes, bars and decks.
Although the proposed ordinance is for the entire city, Mayor Levine wants to completely revamp Ocean Drive. One catalyst, an incident earlier this month in which a Miami Beach officer was dragged by a car on 7th and Ocean.
Unlike many of the nation's largest cities, last call for alcohol is 5 a.m. on Miami Beach. And most tourists say that's part of the reason they're in town to begin with.
"That's why we come to Miami, it's the only place you can do it," said tourist Salvatore Vitale
But that extra late night party may soon come to an end for anyone planning on sipping a cocktail at an outdoor spot.
Yesterday, Miami Beach mayor Mayor Philip Levine proposed a change to city law that would prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol at sidewalk cafes, patios and outdoor bars between two and eight a.m.
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"We of course wanna make sure our clubs are open as late as they usually are 5 a.m., Mayor Levine said. "All our hotels will be serving liquor, but specifically sidewalk cafes, outside we believe 2 a.m. is a good cutoff point."
The main area of concern for the mayor is Ocean Drive. He believes that stretch of the beach has made a turn for the worst.
Although people would still be able to consume alcohol indoors, Levine says his proposal is the first step toward revamping Ocean Drive.
"We believe that will lower the drunkenness, that will lower the disorder, lower the debauchery that happens there between two and eight a.m. in the morning," he said.
But some tourists disagree. "It wont stop it no," said tourist Courtney Doughtert. "It'll just go inside then bring it outside later, so there's no point in that."
Some businesses owners, however, aren't backing the new proposal. Many cafes make most of their cash outside.
"We're both upset about it, 'cause we're like, 'okay what are we gonna do now?' I mean it's a little extra money at the end of the night," said Osiris Dominguez of Amarillo Restaurant.
Others stand behind the Mayor and think the change will create a family-friendly atmosphere along South Beach.
"I don't think people need to be out after 2 a.m. in the morning," said Penny Christina. "I think 2 a.m. allows them enough time to have fun."
Mayor Levine said this is one small step, but plans for continuous legislation to clean up Ocean Drive. Commissioners will consider proposal next month.
