(The Center Square) – The Seattle City Council is considering a bill that would expand the regulation of after-hours bars and clubs as part of an effort to reduce gun violence associated with nightlife in the city.
Council Bill 120956 is meant to provide additional tools to improve security at establishments that operate outside normal business hours.
Gun violence associated with nightlife has been a lingering issue for the city. According to a Tuesday morning presentation by Seattle Deputy City Attorney Scott Lindsay, there have been 17 shooting incidents associated with nightlife so far this year. Out of the 17 incidents, 11 occurred between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.
In 2024, there were a total of 47 shooting incidents associated with nightlife.
The proposed legislation defines after-hours nightlife lounges as a business, nonprofit, or club establishment open between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. and whose purposes in those hours include socializing and either smoking or dancing.
Most bars, restaurants, and nightclubs close at 2 a.m. Under state law, licensed businesses cannot sell or serve liquor between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., although local jurisdictions can set earlier closing times.
The state allows some establishments to stay open if they have a special endorsement called the “extended hours endorsement,” which allows them to stay open as long as they secure their liquor and do not serve any past 2 a.m..
This legislation would not apply to bars or nightclubs that close at 2 a.m., restaurants that stay open after that time, spectator sports facilities, theaters, and adult-entertainment venues that are regulated elsewhere in the Seattle City Code.
Lindsay notes the establishments associated with many of the shooting events do not have liquor licenses – that is, they are not authorized to sell liquor. City officials lack the authority to inspect these businesses.
“There are no current regulations – for example – that would authorize Seattle police or other city officials to inspect the safety of those locations during their operating hours,” Lindsay said during the Public Safety Committee meeting.
The proposed bill would require after-hours nightlife lounges to obtain and comply with all city permits and licenses, employ at least two security personnel, operate video surveillance, prevent weapons from entering premises, have a safety plan, and allow entry by all city peace officers during operating hours.
There is a cost to implementing Council Bill 120956, if it is ultimately approved by the Seattle City Council and Mayor Bruce Harrell. The Seattle Department of Finance and Administrative Services estimates the cost for overtime staffing and development of outreach materials could be $100,000 in 2025.
However, annual department underspending could absorb those costs, according to a central staff memo.
Additional appropriations could be required for future enforcement of the regulations, depending on how many businesses are regulated. The finance department pitches the idea that these future costs could be covered through increases in business license fees, which ranged from $68 to $3,011 in 2024.
Violation of the regulations could result in civil citations and escalating penalties, with the first violation resulting in a $1,000 civil citation. Continued violations could ultimately result in suspension or revocation of a city business license.
If the bill passes, there would be an education period for the few establishments that would be subject to its provisions, to help bring them to compliance. Lindsay said there are somewhere between 15 to 20 businesses that would be impacted.
The Public Safety Committee did not take action on the bill. It will be discussed more at a later date.
