Hours of Operation in the City

RuskiSTL · PostAug 29, 2013#12013-08-29T20:06+00:00

I'm hoping someone here will be knowledgeable enough with city ordinances to help me out. I know that bars and clubs close in city at 3 am. I am assuming that this is because they don't believe they will be profitable without liquor sales. But is there any specific city law or ordinance that limits the hours of operation of a business from staying open past 3am? Specifically a bar/club/dance hall?

I know that the old raves in the 90s went until the break of dawn but was this allowed because they weren't businesses? Or because they didn't sell alcohol?

Thinking about a possible business venture and any and all help in this matter would be great appreciated!

stlhistory · PostAug 29, 2013#22013-08-29T20:41+00:00

http://www.slpl.lib.mo.us/cco/ords/data/ord8536.htm

See City Ordinance 14.03.030

dweebe · PostAug 29, 2013#32013-08-29T21:11+00:00

Here are the Missouri state liquor laws.
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/c311.htm

This is also the Missouri state statute that permits St. Louis City (and Kansas City) bars to be open and serve until 3am instead of 1:30am.
http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C300-399/3110000176.HTM

I can't find it. But I know a friend at one time floated the idea of an after hours (past 3am) BYOB bar/club and those aren't permitted in Missouri.

downtown2007 · PostAug 29, 2013#42013-08-29T21:21+00:00

RuskiSTL wrote:I know that the old raves in the 90s went until the break of dawn but was this allowed because they weren't businesses? Or because they didn't sell alcohol?

Mainly because they weren't legal.

RuskiSTL · PostAug 30, 2013#52013-08-30T19:57+00:00

downtown2007 wrote:
RuskiSTL wrote:I know that the old raves in the 90s went until the break of dawn but was this allowed because they weren't businesses? Or because they didn't sell alcohol?
Mainly because they weren't legal.

PostAug 30, 2013#62013-08-30T19:58+00:00

What about Coffee Cartel? Does anyone know how they are able to operate 24 hours a day?

jem79c · PostAug 30, 2013#72013-08-30T20:10+00:00

It's not that businesses can't be open past 3am, just that they cannot sell alcohol past 3 am (or 1:30 in most cases)

Schnucks, Gas Stations, and Coffee Cartel all have 24 hr locations, but their alcohol sales stop past a certain time and resume (I think) at 6:30 AM

stlhistory · PostAug 30, 2013#82013-08-30T20:15+00:00

^Liquor by the drink versus liquor for retail sale are very different things, too. I *think* they can sell liquor for retail sale at all hours with some wonky stuff on Sundays.

jem79c · PostAug 30, 2013#92013-08-30T20:41+00:00

There is a difference between those things in terms of licensing, but the 1:30/3AM cut-off is always the case - you can't go to Schnucks at 4 AM and buy a case of beer, even though it's retail.

Sunday you can buy from 9 AM until Midnight for both retail and by-the-drink (per state, munis can restrict further if they wish)

dweebe · PostAug 31, 2013#102013-08-31T00:33+00:00

stlhistory wrote:^Liquor by the drink versus liquor for retail sale are very different things, too. I *think* they can sell liquor for retail sale at all hours with some wonky stuff on Sundays.

Nope. Package liquor sales end at 1:30 am every day except Sunday which is midnight.

stlhistory · PostAug 31, 2013#112013-08-31T14:58+00:00

Goes to show that I need to get out more and try buying beer at 4 am more often.