This post was written by Hatchet reporter Tiana Pigford
District bars will be able to announce their last call an hour later on city and federal holidays starting October 1.
The D.C. Council approved the measure Tuesday under a $9.4 billion budget that seeks to narrow a $172 million shortfall for the next fiscal year.
Bars can extend their hours until 4 a.m. on 19 select nights next year, including the 2013 Inauguration and dates surrounding holidays.
Business owners will be required to file a notification with the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration if they wish to open for the extra hour.
Ward 1 council member Jim Graham spoke out against the measure during the meeting Tuesday, warning a lack of public transportation after 3 a.m. could increase drunk driving incidents and late night noise.
Graham held a town hall in April, where local residents and business owners raised concerns over the proposed extension of bar hours. Mayor Vincent Gray’s original budget proposal called for an overarching extension of bar hours, to 4 a.m. from 3 a.m. on weekends and to 3 a.m. from 2 a.m. on weekdays.
A council committee voted down the year-round extension of bar hours last month, paving the way for the most recent proposal allowing bars extra hours on just 19 nights.