Last call (bar term)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In a pub, a last call is usually announced 10-15 minutes before the bar closes for the night, urging the customers to buy one more drink while they still can. There are various means to make this signal, like ringing a bell, flashing the lights, etc. In the UK it is called "Last orders".

Last call times are often publically regulated and vary widely around the world based on local laws. Reasons to adopt such a policy, include the reduction of noise development during the night, as well as traffic accidents, violence and health issues resulting from the prolonged drinking [1].

1 List of last call times around the world:
2 See also
3 External links

[edit] List of last call times around the world:

[edit] United Kingdom

The last orders law was abolished in November 2005. Bars had the opportunity to renew their license with much later closing times, and as such, each bar is different. Most establishments have kept with the old laws, which demanded an 11 p.m. last orders, and to abandon the establishment by 11:25 p.m.

[edit] Canada

Ontario, Canada - Last call is 2 a.m. province wide, although the province has the authority to grant waivers to allow closing at 4 a.m. during special events.
Quebec, Canada - Last call is 3 a.m. province wide for establishments serving alcohol, while the sale of alcohol from a store is restricted after 11 p.m.

[edit] United States

[edit] State specific laws

Arizona - 2 a.m.
California - Last call statewide is 2 a.m.
Delaware - 1 a.m.
Florida - Last call set statewide to 2 a.m., some cities have passed exemptions to the law, notably Miami (4 a.m.). Liquor store closing times vary by county.
Maine - 1 a.m.
Nevada - There is no closing time; bars may stay open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
New York - Last call is 4 a.m. Although the NY State Liquor authority pursuant to subdivision eleven of section seventeen states, where any rule has been adopted in a county on or before April 1st, 1995, further restricting the hours of sale for alcoholic beverages, such restricted hours shall be the hours, during which the sale of alcoholic beverages at retail for on-premises consumption shall not be permitted within such county. Nor shall any person be permitted to consume any alcoholic beverages upon any such premises later than one-half hour after the start of the prohibited hours of sale provided for in this section.
Ohio - Last call is 2 a.m. statewide. Store-bought beer & wine sales stop at 1 a.m. Liquor over 40 proof may only be purchased in state-approved stores - sales stop at 10 p.m.

North Carolina - Last Call is 2 a.m. statewide. On weekdays and saturday alcohol can be sold beginning at 9 a.m., on sunday alcohol sells begin at noon. Wisconsin - Last call is 2 a.m.. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, last call is 2:30 a.m.

[edit] City specific laws

Albany, NY - 4 a.m.
Atlanta - 4:30 a.m. in Underground Atlanta. 2:30 a.m. in the rest of the city.
Austin- 2 a.m.
Bloomington and Normal, Illinois - 1 a.m. on weeknights, 2 a.m. on weekends
Boston - 2 a.m.
Buffalo - 4 a.m.
Chicago - 2 a.m. on weeknights, 3 a.m. on Saturday nights. A late license can be granted for special events, extending last call to 4 a.m. About a hundred bars in the city are open until 4 a.m. on weeknights, 5 a.m. on Saturday nights.
Denver - 2 a.m.
Florence, South Carolina - 2 a.m. for hard liquor, 3 a.m. for beer. This includes sundays where any bar that is defined as a private club may operate 7 days a week, other wise last call is midnight saturday night, until the establishment reopens for business on monday.
Houston - 2 a.m.
Miami - 4 a.m.
Peoria - 4 a.m.
Philadelphia - 2 a.m.
Pittsburgh - 2 a.m.
Rochester - 2 a.m.
Salt Lake City - 1 a.m.
St. Louis - 2 a.m. on Weeknights, 3 a.m. on Weekends
Washington, D.C. - 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday night, 2 a.m. other nights.