Why is it that San Francisco California Clubs and Restaurants close so early?

Question

Besides having to abide by a California state law that mandates clubs must stop serving alcohol by 2:00am, in most clubs the owners literally start "kicking out" the patrons at 1:30am, regardless of whether is a weekday or weekend and the exit scene is quite nasty. There is no current "entertainment district" in the City of San Francisco that would extend the hours of operations for clubs to remain open perhaps until 4:00am on weekends. If San Francisco is to compete for tourism in a global economy, then it should start enacting laws more open and less "structured" and begin evolving as a major city should be. It's a shame a citiy like San Francisco provides a image of not being flexible and accomodating to it's own citizens and to the thousands of tourists it receives from all corners of the world. SAN FRANCISCANS WAKE UP-

Answer 1

You live in the MOST liberal state in the country! Last time I was in SF, after dinner, a few co workers and I went out for drinks, and I felt the same way you do! So, needless to say, we had to bring the party back to the hotel!

Answer 2

It is the state law that alcohol cannot be served after 2. San Francisco has a relatively small population, and nearly half of the state's lawmakers represent L.A., so even if there was great demand to change the law, it won't happen unless it's good for L.A.

Besides, San Francisco isn't hurting for tourists. It seems like the clubs are mostly there for locals, while tourists come to see the golden gate bridge and Ghiradelli Square. Tourists who just want to party go to Vegas anyway. Also, even more important to the city's economy are the business travelers, who aren's usually going to be drinking all night.

Answer 3

Most, but not all unless things are way different from my clubbing days. There were 4 or 5 dance clubs open until 6 on weekends, you just couldn't drink after 2 (big deal). They're probably still out there, look past the 11th and folsom places. As for restaurants I know Sparky's and a few more are open all night, then there are the late night ones (until 3 or 4) galore on broadway (outside of Chinatown).

My clubbing days were the 90s btw.

Answer 4

Tourism in one country or city is not highly dependent on the amount of nightlife they have or how long the bars stay open till. SF for one is not even considered a city with a very vibrant nightlife like NY or Miami, thus the tourists that do come to the city tend to be family oriented: Golden Gate Bridge, Pier 39, Alcatraz, etc.
As for the Bay Areans, yeah, extend those hours already!

Answer 5

Sorry, but I don't see a problem here. We have no desire to become another Bangkok. San Francisco is first and foremost a business/professional city where people live and work. Unlike New Yorkers who start rolling in around 10:00, most start work here by 8:00 a.m. Tourism is definitely secondary on our priority list, we marginally tolerate it for a little extra revenue as long as we can contain it to reasonable hours in certain areas of town so its not a nuisance and doesn't ruin the natural peace and beauty of our environment. We have no wish to increase noise pollution, drunk driving problems, drug problems, ugly modern neon displays, and the like. So to be perfectly direct, we don't want to attract more party people to come here. If you are looking for an all night party, go to Vegas or Disneyland, please don't come to our home.

Answer 6

They close so early so you can get to bed. So you don't sleep all day tomorrow and not hit the beach. So tourist dollars can be spent and not wasted on late check outs at hotels.

Answer 7

Its the California LAW. So get over it. Its not just San Francisco its ALL OF CALIFORNIA!!!!!