Vancouver bars should stay open later, says online petition

An online petition is circulating calling for Vancouver to amend current laws that require bars to close relatively early.

Bars in the city must close at 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and at 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The petition is addressed to Mayor Gregor Robertson and Premier Christy Clark, and proposes that bars should stay open until 6 a.m.

“It is time for the government to realize it is wrong for them to give us bed times, we are adults! This bylaw is restricting our freedom and taking away potential hours the bars and clubs could be making money,” the petition reads.

Bars in Seattle and Portland are similar to Vancouver, with cut-offs at 2 a.m. and 2:30 a.m. respectively.

The petition says staying open that late would allow people using transit to get home safely, since bus and SkyTrain services would have resumed by the time bars stop serving alcohol.