It appears, for the moment, that the party will go on past 2 a.m. for visitors in South Beach businesses during the upcoming spring break weeks.
A ban to move the last call on alcohol sales from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m. was struck down by Judge Beatrice Butchko on Tuesday, the Miami Herald first reported.
Watch NBC6 free wherever you are
WATCH HERE
Last month, Miami Beach commissioners had passed a new ordinance that would force businesses south of 16th Street, including West Avenue and Alton Road, to close at 2 a.m. from March 7-21.
An Ocean Drive hotel went to court to fight the measure. A city spokesperson said they plan to appeal Butchko's decision.
Get local news you need to know to start your day with NBC 6's News Headlines newsletter.
SIGN UP
“We will not be enforcing the city’s 2 a.m. alcohol ban while we file an emergency appeal to the 3rd District Court of Appeals,” Miami Beach spokeswoman Melissa Berthier wrote in a statement to NBC 6.
Miami Beach Mayor Dan Gelber said he was "obviously disappointed" in the ruling.
“Our city seems to be held hostage by a handful of all-night bars whose business model foments the disorder and chaos that endangers our residents, visitors and cops,” Gelber said in a statement.
In June 2021, Butchko struck down a similar liquor law that banned alcohol sales after 2 a.m. in the entertainment district.
The city enacted a curfew during last year's spring break due to rowdy crowds.
