The taps and tabs will stay open one hour later in St. Petersburg beginning Tuesday. After two hours of intense discussion at the St. Petersburg City Council meeting this morning, the motion passed with a six to two vote. The push to keep bars open later would put St. Petersburg on equal footing with Tampa's alcohol curfew and could significantly increase revenue for the city's bars and restaurants. Council members were flooded with over four thousand signatures on a petition to pass the ordinance.
In a last minute push to encourage the passage of ordinance 976-G, the city heard public comment on the issue. John Long, president of the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce presented their poll's results on the issue. Asked whether they supported the ordinance, 73% of residents asked supported the extended hours.
