Starting with the New Year on Wednesday, cities and towns will have the option of extending last call at bars from 1 a.m. to 2 a.m.
But some city leaders are already saying they’re not interested in the change.
Manchester Mayor Ted Gatsas has said he’s against extending last call in the state’s largest city.
Nashua Mayor Donnalee Lozeau says she feels the same way.
“I don’t think it’s a good option for Nashua. I think that 1 a.m. is soon enough. I don’t see a benefit to an extra hour. This is an instance where I feel comfortable saying no good can come of it.”
Lozeau says she’s only heard from one bar owner interested in a later last call.
Manchester Republican Mark Warden, the prime sponsor of the bill, calls it a pro-business law and says it likely won’t be city leaders advocating for the change.
“I imagine that will get pushed through by bar and tavern owners or their associations who will work on some of the towns to put in warrant articles or the selectmen or aldermen to change but as of now I haven’t heard of any that have pushed for it.”
Towns interested in extending last call would have to put the question to voters during town meetings.
