Team Day Drinking can take a victory lap.
Gainesville's recently changed alcohol laws have caused bars in Midtown to extend their Sunday hours.
The city's rules on alcohol, which were officially changed Dec. 15, now allow bars and restaurants to sell alcohol from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m, just like every other day of the week.
Keith Benson, manager of O!O Garden Grille, said the new rule will bring in more student business at night than in the morning. The restaurant and bar will now be open until 2 a.m.
The Swamp Restaurant, 101 Cantina, Gator City, Balls, Grog House Bar and Grill and Salty Dog Saloon will also be open until 2 a.m.
The revised ordinance also allows packaged liquor to be purchased at stores from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Previously, packaged liquor was not allowed to be sold at all on Sundays, and bars and restaurants could only serve alcohol between 1 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Because the new laws took effect on Dec. 18, right as UF's winter break began, some city liquor stores are waiting before they officially change their hours.
Mike Collins, manager of Gator Beverage on University Avenue, said he may open the store at 10 a.m instead of 1 p.m, but he wants to wait until business is back to normal.
ABC Fine Wine and Spirits on Northwest Thirteenth Street will now be open on Sundays from noon until 9 p.m. The ABC on Southwest Archer Road will be open on Sunday from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m.
"The previous laws were put in at a time when Sundays meant something slightly different," said City Commissioner Jeanna Mastrodicasa, chair of the committee that passed the measure. "In today's economy, you have to look for ways for businesses to survive."
The idea was brought to the commission's attention when a resident recommended the change.
No one objected, Mastrodicasa said.
After the Gainesville Police Department said police coverage was not a problem, she said, she knew the measure would pass.
Brandon Nichols, an architecture student at Santa Fe College, said he's excited about the change.
"I give the law two thumbs up," said Nichols, 25. "Sorry I'm not sorry for partying."
