I don’t like eating my words, but tonight it’s sort of a no brainer. Last week, while opining on a Georgia Straight piece about a possible relaxation of the city’s pitifully Draconian liquor laws (in particular an extension of service hours), I wrote this little tastes-like-chicken nugget:

Whether we want to admit it or not, City Hall is still a place where good ideas that combat Vancouver’s international reputation as a yawn-accelerating glass house are put to death and ineloquently eulogized. Why? Because those of the chamber invariably consider the opinions of people who wouldn’t know a good time if it sat directly on top of their faces. Seriously, come hither, dear comet. I really think we’re ready.

Well, I just got off the phone with Mark Brand, co-proprietor of Boneta and The Diamond, and I have some good, if not surprising news. After listening to 27 speakers tonight, Council actually voted unanimously to allow restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages until 1am Sunday through Thursday and until 2am on Saturday and Sunday. “I’m putting in applications for both The Diamond and Boneta at 5:30am tomorrow,” said Brand, clearly stoked. He expects a turnaround of about two weeks, and then it’s a whole new ballgame for those who’ve always wanted to stay open longer, but couldn’t because Mr and Mrs. Grannypants and their 17 cats were afraid God would totally get His smite on if people lived their lives according to their own personal GPS.

While I’d like my favourite watering holes and restaurants to stay open until 5am on Sundays, this is still a step in the right direction. Many thanks to all who showed up and stood up for a slightly more amusing city. We all owe you a beer, at 12:59am on a slow Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday…

If you must…The Vancouver Sun | CBC | Canadian Press | News 1130

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