FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Fort Lauderdale is changing up its rules on how alcohol is sold and consumed in the city -- all part of the city’s plan to tighten alcohol restrictions in its nightlife districts.
The new ordinance was officially approved during a vote at Tuesday night’s city commission meeting.
The new rule now bans the consumption of open alcohol containers, while also banning all outdoor alcohol sales.
The change only applies to Fort Lauderdale’s nightlife and beach entertainment areas, including the Himmarshee Village Entertainment District, where many popular bars and clubs are located.
This comes after a string of shooting incidents, with the Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue chief saying that last year alone, their department received the highest number of calls for incidents since 2021.
Supporters of the new ordinance say they want to see safer, more balanced entertainment districts that support businesses, while still being welcoming and livable for the rest of the community.
But many business and bar owners disagree, some of who spoke out before Tuesday night’s vote.
“I think when you took away the drinks outside, from my understanding, you’re saying you can’t go outside with a drink, and that’s just something that made the city,” one man said, as he addressed the commission. “It made the flow, how you go out, how you entertain yourself for a night out. It’s something that’s very special for nightlife that you don’t find anywhere else. You don’t find it in Miami.”
During a previous meeting, city commissioners struck down a plan to push up closing time from 4 a.m. to 3 a.m. That was after some strong pushback by many bar owners in the area.
Still, they say they will potentially re-visit that issue at a later date.
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