BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Partiers in Colombia’s capital may soon be able to extend their late-night revelry thanks to the easing of a drinking curfew widely credited with reducing violence.
Starting this weekend on a trial basis, bars, nightclubs and smoke shops in 14 nighttime districts of Bogota will be allowed to stay open until 6 a.m.
The city imposed a 1 a.m. closing time starting in 1995, and later extended it to 3 a.m. The restriction has been widely emulated by major cities in Latin America struggling to reduce street violence.
But authorities say after two decades of steady security gains it’s time to consider lifting the restriction. It’s also expected to give a boost to bar owners still fuming over a ban on alcohol sales during the World Cup.
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