Photo by Davin Tarr

In the latest test of relaxing its liquor laws, D.C. is permitting bars and restaurants to remain open until 4 a.m. the night before Thanksgiving. The trial follows on one conducted last month, when 42 establishments were allowed to remain open all night before Columbus Day and serve alcohol until 4 a.m.

The pre-Columbus Day experiment went off without any noticeable increase in alcohol-related law enforcement concerns, perhaps giving more credence to the drive to update D.C.’s relatively strict regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages.

Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1), is sponsoring a package of changes to D.C.’s alcohol laws. Among the proposed changes would be permitting liquor stores to sell on Sundays, allowing supermarkets and brewpubs to sell and refill 64-ounce growlers of beer and opening D.C. to the establishment of “wine pubs,” where wine could be produced, sampled and sold.

As for Thanksgiving, The Washington Post published last month the bars and restaurants that qualified for extended hours.