MIAMI BEACH, FLA. (WSVN) - City leaders in Miami Beach have announced that alcohol sales will be prohibited in curfew areas after 6 p.m. starting Thursday.
On Wednesday morning, city leaders announced the new rule that will be implemented in the area for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.
Officials ordered that “the sale or distribution of any alcoholic beverage(s) for off-premises consumption, with or without payment or consideration therefor, shall be prohibited in the curfew area after 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 24, 2022, after 6 p.m. on Friday, March 25, 2022; and after 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2022.”
The alcohol sales ban does not include patrons buying drinks at restaurants or bars. It includes liquor stores and mini marts.
“Wow, really? You better get it early then,” said Ziya, a visitor from Maryland.
While people who came to Miami to party are just receiving the news, business owners are getting ready for a loss.
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“Maybe a little disappointed, but, you know, I can understand,” one man said.
“This is gonna be effective for us, of course,” said Mini Mart owner Monjurul Alam.
This new announcement comes after leaders called for a curfew in the entertainment district following several violent outbreaks during spring break.
The established curfew zone is from the area of 23rd Street and Dade Boulevard to the north to Government Cut to the south. The curfew will run from 11:59 p.m. to 6 a.m., Thursday through Monday morning.
All businesses in that area must close before midnight, giving patrons time to go home or to their hotels.
“You know, I’ve never had a curfew here before,” said Jason Cortes, a visitor from New York, “never have been told what to do. People do things at 2 o’clock in the afternoon. What’s going to stop them from doing it at midnight?”
“I think that’s insane. We’re from New York City. We don’t like that stuff,” said visitor from New York Artie Olivari.
Business managers and store owners said this will affect their business’ bottom line, but that safety comes first.
They are hoping that the new implications are only a weekend deal.
“Public safety is the most important,” said property manager Salem Mouayyer.
“It kind of sucks, I mean, especially with kids here on spring break trying to have fun and you know, get a break, but I guess we gotta follow the rules right?” said Ziya.
“This is the most peak time, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.,” said Alam. “This is the most peak time for us. When we finish going through these rules, we gonna lose a lot of money. I agree that we need safety also, but if it is continuous, it will be super, super, hard for us, but if it’s two, three days, I think it’s OK.”
Traffic will also be rerouted for those who live in the area.
City garages will be closed Thursday through Sunday at 11 p.m. Drivers will not be able to enter garages but will be allowed to leave after 11 p.m.
Hotels are allowed to operate after 11 p.m. but only for hotel guests.
Popular STORY nightclub announced on Friday that it would be closed for the weekend.
The nightclub made the announcement on Instagram with a post reading, “Due to Miami Beach imposed curfew we will be temporarily closed tonight through Sunday. Full refunds will be automatically processed.”
It remains unclear what restrictions will remain in place starting Sunday.
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