Will 2 a.m. liquor cutoff mean fewer crowds, less crime on South Beach? Here’s our take | Editorial

Miami Beach voters will decide whether to retain their current mayor for a final term and welcome two new (or maybe new-ish) city commissioners in the November elections, but no topic has roiled the voters more than how late drinks can be served in the city.

For the second time in four years, residents will be asked whether bars and nightclubs on the city’s world-famous strip — and beyond — should be required to stop serving liquor at 2 a.m., three hours earlier than the current 5 a.m. cutoff.

The non-binding straw-ballot question has a little wiggle room, adding, “with locations and related restrictions and exceptions to be determined by a City Commission ordinance.” Though we support the ballot item, this vague and troublesome loophole must be closed should the initiative move forward. There’s still a lot of space for the commission to make mischief.

The last time residents faced the same question, in 2017, 65% of them voted to keep the booze flowing until dawn. And this time, the ban would extend throughout the city, not just its entertainment district on South Beach.

But things have changed since 2017, and so has the South Beach vibe.

The crowds lining up at the bars have become rowdier and louder, the visitor-on-visitor crimes have become alarming and the Miami Beach Police Department is exhausted from trying to patrol it all, with overtime costs exploding.

At the heart of the issue: What is right for the city and its residents, and what is fair for the city’s iconic bars and clubs, whose bottom lines will no doubt be impacted by a 2 a.m. limit? The City Commission voted to impose that cutoff in May. A judge struck it down pending the outcome of an Ocean Drive business’ lawsuit.

The old battlelines haven’t shifted for this latest go-round.

On one side of the issue is Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber, who says he’s had enough of the all-night, anything-goes party atmosphere. After 20 years, he says it’s time for the Beach’s most famous district to evolve into something else. We agree. South Beach’s current chaotic reputation, which keeps many locals away, has grown tiresome.

No silver bullet

The mayor hopes to give birth to a cultural arts district, where thousands currently party in the streets into the wee hours. He envisions a mixed-use area, founded on a “live, work, play” template. There would be sidewalk restaurants, apartments, office buildings and art galleries. But before any of that can happen, Gelber says, the city must curtail the partying on South Beach.

And though not a silver bullet, we also agree that the 2 a.m. cutoff is a necessary first step in the evolution of South Beach.

There is precedent: Coconut Grove, Fort Lauderdale and Panama City Beach also grew tired of the party economy and grew up, using ordinances to outlaw misbehavior and zoning changed to attract more adult-oriented businesses.

Gelber says the city is overwhelmed by the crowds of young people who come to party hard on holiday weekends. “The real question for voters is, ‘Do we want South Beach to continue to be a 24-hour party area?’” Gelber told the Board.

He added: “We’re not going to keep tolerating this just because it’s someone’s else’s business model.”

Gelber is referring to the the crowds drawn to Clevelander South Beach, Mango’s Tropical Cafe and other tourist attractions along Ocean Drive, which see the 2 a.m. ban as not only a money loser but a “bothersome” move by a mayor whose future view of the area threatens their very existence.

Also, are late liquor sales attracting crime and violence? Gelber is pushing that point, but in some circles, not convincingly.

“The city has never produced evidence that the 2 a.m. liquor ban is going to reduce crime,” said Alexander Tachmes, attorney for the Clevelander, who says his client will lose “a lot of money” if last call is at 2 a.m.

The Greater Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce has joined the Clevelander and others in the entertainment district in opposing the mayor’s push. “The human cost of this is that people will lose jobs, and the city and its residents will also lose millions in resort-tax benefits,” Jerry Libbin, head of the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce told the Board.

How much crime?

The nightclubs should not be held responsible for the street parties that break out along Ocean Drive nor for the crime that police should be addressing, Tachmes told the Board. He has a point.

However, the Miami Herald recently reported that during the first six months of 2021, compared to the same period in 2019, the South Beach party hub saw a 35% increase in violent crime.

The mayor says the idea that the city has not done enough to control the crowds is false. He rattled off his efforts, which included adding 39 police officers, using license plate readers to prevent criminals from coming in, confiscating 147 guns in recent months and cracking down on short-term rentals.

Crime or no crime, the 2 a.m. liquor cutoff is the best chance to jump-start the comprehensive public debate and follow-up legislation that will be necessary to propel South Beach’s personality change. Though not all commission candidates support this non-binding ballot item, they said they will honor the voters’ wishes.

Should the ballot item fail, South Beach risks becoming something akin to a police state. Officers on every corner would be a bad look.

We urge Beach voters to approve the 2 a.m. liquor ban. Should it pass, we urge the mayor to lead a high-level meeting with all stakeholders, including club owners, to craft a solution that works for everyone. The straw ballot question offers the chance to get it right.

On the non-binding straw-ballot item: Changing alcoholic beverage establishments sales/consumption termination time, the Miami Herald Editorial Board recommends YES.

Our recommendations in the Miami Beach elections continue Friday with the remaining ballot questions.

This story was originally published October 7, 2021 at 6:00 AM.