Liquor sale times to be discussed at Rochester City Council study session Wednesday

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Rochester City Council plans to discuss the city's ordinance of permit liquor sales until 2 a.m.

The state statute allows bars in Rochester to sell alcoholic beverages beyond the standard 1 a.m. time.

Currently, eight businesses in Rochester stay open until 2 a.m. under a license endorsement granted by the city council.

In Wednesday's study session, the council will analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the endorsement.

Christiaan Cartwright, one of Rochester's deputy city clerks, said the ordinance provides more business for local bars.

'That extra hour really does add a significant amount of money to their operation with the bars being opened later," Cartwright said.

Cartwright said it's also important that the city is ensuring the community's safety.

"We need to make sure that we have. You know, adequate police presence just in case to make sure that there are no street crossings, no DWIs, etcetera, etcetera," he said.

After the study session, the council will make plans to continue the liquor license endorsement, set a plan to improve it, or even remove it completely.

The study session starts at 3:30 p.m.

for more about the study session