As we turn back our clocks this weekend, many will enjoy an extra hour of sleep. But it doesn't mean you'll get to stay at the bar an hour later too.
"It's going to be one of our biggest parties of the year," said Nicole Apuzzo, bar manager of Russian Lady in New Haven. "We don't stay open for the extra hour only because of the date of business. We have to abide by those hours, even though the clocks are set back, so we don't get that extra hour of business."
The Department of Consumer Protection is reminding businesses and patrons that they're not allowed a "do-over" of that last hour. It might say 1 a.m. when Daylight Saving Time ends, but state officials say that means no more booze.
"At the end of the night, we're literally pushing people out the door, so keeping them here that much longer would really help," Apuzzo said.
It might help a place like the Russian Lady, but others say it's not worth it.
"Typically, at that hour people have gotten in the amount of drinking they should and we don't want to extend it and push it much farther than we should," said Tim Cabral, who co-owns the bar Ordinary on Chapel Street in New Haven. "We think of our guests and as well as our staff and we want to respect everybody. There's no need for us to stay that extra hour."
Patrons of both establishments weighed in on that extra hour Friday night.
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"You know what, if they were still drinking at that time, they wouldn't remember to put their watches back anyway," joked New Haven resident Stephanie Shames.
Bar owners said state liquor laws have been strict for as long as they can remember. The only night bars can stay open later than normal is New Year's Eve.
