Alton To Reconsider Late Night Liquor License Ban
Proposed elimination of late night liquor licenses comes back up for a vote after bartenders and bar owners previously voiced concerns.
ALTON – Alton officials are set to vote tonight on whether or not to eliminate late night liquor licenses.
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Appearing on Monday’s Committee of the Whole agenda is a tabled resolution to introduce an ordinance amending Alton’s Liquor License Ordinance by deleting an entire section which allows for late night liquor licenses. If passed, the resolution would go next to the City Council for approval this Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025.
Under the current Alton City Code, a late night liquor license allows certain liquor license holders to sell alcohol from 1 to 2 a.m. on Monday through Friday and 1 to 3 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
This proposed amendment, effectively banning late night liquor licenses and forcing alcohol sales to stop at 1 a.m., would take effect on Dec. 31, 2025, if the resolution and ordinance are approved. Committee members previously tabled the resolution in August after several local bar owners and bartenders spoke out against it.
“Those late night hours, especially after 1 a.m., they make up a significant portion of our revenue,” Michelle Oerter, a bartender at Danny’s Lounge, said at the time. “You don’t punish an entire classroom for one child’s behavior, so why should the rest of us be punished?”
The resolution was originally introduced by Alderwoman Martha Pfister amid allegations the city was unfairly targeting two downtown businesses as Mayor David Goins revoked the late night liquor licenses of Pour Decisions and Hiram’s Bar.
Tonight’s vote comes just three days after Mayor Goins urged City Council members to pass the elimination of late night liquor licenses across Alton. Goins said in a statement the city had “developed a reputation as a late-night party destination.”
“While vibrant entertainment is part of our community’s charm, the associated activities and behaviors are harming our city’s reputation and safety,” Goins said in the statement. “This summer, I personally witnessed images and videos depicting conduct that does not align with the values of our community.”
Follow the discussion and vote on this and other agenda items for the Alton Committee of the Whole meeting tonight, Nov. 10, 2025 at 6 p.m., live on Riverbender.com/video/live.
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