Associated Press
Commissioners in Miami Beach have given initial approval to a ban on selling alcohol in the early morning hours.
But the proposal approved on first reading Thursday was a scaled-down version of a plan Mayor Philip Levine outlined last month. Levine suggested that the city stop all alcohol sales at 2 a.m. in all outdoor areas, including sidewalk cafes, patios and outside bars.
The Miami Herald reports the ordinance only applies to sidewalk cafes, many of which line the Ocean Drive sidewalks in South Beach.
The commission approved the ordinance unanimously. It will be considered again May 20.
The mayor called the vote a first step to cleaning up Ocean Drive. He has called the area is a “blight” because of drunken revelers.
Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
