Late Night Activity Review Committee Will Recommend Dropping the Moratorium

I took almost a year, but the Late Night Activity Review Committee has decided that that the moratorium on bars in downtown Charleston has gone on long enough. "The moratorium has served its purpose," co-chair Frank McCann told the Post and Courier. Since the ban on establishments serving alcohol past 2 a.m. took effect, no new bars have opened on the peninsula and prime real estate was quickly gobbled up by hotels (which were exempt from the ban).

The city put forth the moratorium in attempt to control drunk revelers on King Street and to diversify the businesses in Charleston. Reporter Diane Knich wrote, "The bars that are packed with sometimes intoxicated young people who pour out onto King Street at 2 a.m. likely will fade away as the area becomes more upscale." Knich doesn't point it out, but rising rents could quickly push out bars from King Street — price tags that only national chains, like Chipotle or West Elm could afford.

The Committee meets this Tuesday, June 16, to listen to public comments on late-night activities moving forward. The meetings are at 5:30, 5:50 and 6:15 p.m. on the second floor of the Charleston Maritime Center at 10 Wharfside st.