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Fort Lauderdale Bans Open Containers and Outdoor Alcohol in Nightlife Districts

The city kept the 4 a.m. closing for now with broader measures set for debate next month.

The Himmarshee district bars are shown at night, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. Fort Lauderdale's entertainment districts have experienced recent shootings, and the city commission will decide whether to change the 4 a.m. closing time following back-to-back shootings. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel) (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
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Overview

  • Commissioners approved a plan to end outdoor alcohol sales and open-container drinking across five entertainment districts, with a final vote expected before spring break.
  • The 4 a.m. last call remains in place for now, though officials are weighing a rollback to 3 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays at a meeting slated for early February.
  • A separate proposal would let the city manager declare high‑impact zones for stepped‑up enforcement and require minors to be with a parent or guardian in designated areas.
  • Business owners warned the restrictions will cut revenue—especially the loss of to‑go sales during spring break—and some said earlier last call could force closures.
  • Bar operators offered to fund off‑duty police details as an alternative, and city leaders signaled openness to testing targeted enforcement before revisiting operating hours.