Photo by Knavemalkin

Ahead of a hearing next week on a proposal to extend bar hours to 3 a.m. on weekdays and 4 a.m. on weekends, D.C.’s restaurant lobby has come to a not-so-surprising conclusion: they really like the idea.

In a press release sent earlier this week, the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington said that it supported the proposed extensions “wholeheartedly and enthusiastically” and would push the D.C. Council to approve them.

“It is clear that extended service hours will generate significant new revenue for the District,” said Lynne Breaux, the association’s president. “In addition to a projected $5.3 million increase in sales taxes, the proposal will also generate growth in other business services during these hours. This enhanced economic activity and the resulting employment opportunities will both provide needed funds for balancing the city budget and create additional disposable income for local employees.”

At a recent hearing in the D.C. Council, several bar owners spoke on behalf of the proposal, which was offered as part of Mayor Vince Gray’s 2013 budget. Not only will the extended hours offer the city more revenue, they said, but it would spread out the times when people leave, heading off the usual problems associated with bars and clubs closing and moving their patrons out to the street.

Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), who chairs the committee that will consider the proposal, has already expressed his reservations with the idea, saying it would promote noise, crime and traffic issues. In a blog posting this week, Graham said he would seek “maximum public comment” at a hearing on Tuesday, April 17 on the proposal.