POLL: Should South End Clubs Close Earlier?
Mayor Menino wants some Theater District clubs to close earlier than 2 a.m.. Do you think closing times for South End venues should be earlier, as well?
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"The neighborhood as a whole has long been wracked by violence, much of which occurs on Tremont, Warrenton and Stuart streets as thousands spill out of the clubs after the 2 a.m. closing time," said Boston Herald writer Dave Wedge in his article about Menino's efforts to curb club violence in the Theater District.
He quoted Menino's letter to the Boston's liquor licensing board about the Theather District clubs, which says, "By staggering the hours of operation of the alcoholic beverage licenses of these establishments on a rotating basis, we can achieve a more effective dispersal of patrons and protect the entire Theatre District."
Would the South End also benefit from earlier and staggered club closing times? Vote in our poll and leave a comment with your thoughts.
Blase Gallo
7:26 am on Saturday, May 5, 2012
Staggering the closing times will not work. Patrons will only move to the clubs still open and then everyone will still be leavong at one time. More police presence at closing time is probably a better crime solution.
Sancho Panza
11:37 am on Saturday, May 5, 2012
More police presence and later closing times will actually help the situation. If all bars were open until 3 am, people would naturally exit the clubs on a staggered basis. This would also solve the cab shortage problem that appears in Boston beginning at 1 am each weekend night.
SM_bos
7:52 am on Monday, May 7, 2012
The article in the Globe indicated they were looking at letting clubs serve soft-drinks or food later, not alcohol. Let people filter out instead of rushing out all-at-once.
Kasey Hariman
12:13 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
Hi SM_bos! Any chance you've got the link to that article? I couldn't find it with a Google search, and we definitely want to have the most complete picture of the situation. Thanks for commenting, either way!
SM_bos
11:11 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
I guess it was just an editorial making a suggestion, not a story about an actual proposal. http://articles.boston.com/2012-05-05/opinion/31571431_1_club-licenses-boston-police-nightclubs
Kasey Hariman
9:29 am on Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Thanks for finding it, though, and letting us know! It's helpful.