Politics & Government

What Time Should Barclays Stop Serving Alcohol?

Is a 2 a.m. last call too late for the 18,000-seat arena? Is a 10 p.m. cutoff time too early?

The answer to this question may help keep the surrounding neighborhoods more quiet: At what time should the  stop serving alcohol? 

Last week, Community Board 6 during all events at the arena.

However the recommendation, which will go to the New York State Liquor Authority, came with two conditions that follow the policy already in place for the 40 NBA games:

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  • During all NBA games no alcohol can be sold after the third quarter.
  • All alcohol sales cease an hour before the end of any other event.

But, BrooklynSpeaks , a coalition of civic organizations surrounding the arena, has a petition that requests all alcoholic beverage sales be cut off at 10 p.m. at the absolute latest in all areas of the arena, reflecting area residents' fear of drunk pedestrians and drivers flooding the streets after the 180 non-NBA events expected next year.

In addition, there are four clubs in the buiding that could be open until 4 a.m. additional nights, and still be working within the state's legal time frame to sell booze.

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But others argued that the community should not interfere with the arena’s ability to make as much money as it can.

Lou Sones, a CB6 member said the community should not mess with a "huge business model."

Another member, who did not give his name during last week's meeting, said that it is a waste of time to debate about closing times for the operator has great experience running other arenas and they know how to run an arena without public input. 

That said, what time do you think Barclays should be required to stop serving alcohol?


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