By Kiara Doyal, The Seattle Medium
On Tuesday, a Seattle City Council approved legislation to tighten regulations on nightclub lounges that are open after 2 a.m. In collaboration with City Attorney Ann Davison and Mayor Bruce Harrell Council Bill 120956, Councilmember Robert Kettle requires after-hour lounges to be up-to-date on all city permits and licenses, maintain two security guards, have video surveillance, draft a safety plan, and allow entry by police officers.
According to Kettle, police officers may enter areas open to the public during business hours. However, current laws/ordinances do not allow police to enter private premises without a warrant, absent exigent circumstances, or some other legal right to be there.
“A condition of having a Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) liquor license is that police officers may enter areas open to the public during business hours,” Kettle said. “Currently, after-hours establishments without a liquor license have no legal obligation to allow police officers to enter. The proposed legislation would require officer access, similar to licensed bars, as an additional safety measure.”
In Seattle, after-hour lounges and hookah bars are typically open after bars close and operate until 6 a.m. This extended window creates a prolonged period during which people continue to gather, increasing crowd density in certain areas. According to city data, the most common time for shootings associated with night clubs is around 2 a.m. Over the past decade, the City of Seattle has linked dozens of shootings and homicides to areas where patrons are still lingering after clubs have shut down for the night or where after-hour lounges exists.
“This new bill to address safety at Seattle’s after-hours lounge scene underscores our unwavering commitment to the security and well-being of patrons and the broader community,” Kettle said. “Recognizing that persistent gun violence is unacceptable, we believe it’s our responsibility to act in a strategic and meaningful way. I appreciate the Mayor and City Attorney for their diligent efforts in helping bring this forward.”
According to Seattle City Attorney Ann Davison, violence in and around these venues has been an emerging problem, as there have been 17 shooting incidents connected with nightlife so far this year.
“One thing we all agree on is that we want to reduce gun violence in Seattle,” said Davison. “This legislation requires after-hours lounges to take common sense safety measures to improve safety. We owe it to the victims of gun violence to take action now.”
Enforcement will be handled by the Finance and Administrative Services Department, with fines starting at $1,000 for the first violation and quickly escalating to $5,000 after that. The proposed regulations would not apply to restaurants, adult entertainment venues, all-ages dance clubs, theaters, or sports and recreation facilities. City council analysts said those establishments must already meet other safety and regulatory requirements to be open after 2 a.m.
“Gun violence at after-hours lounges and the heartbreak these incidents have caused for families in our city requires action to improve safety for patrons, employees, and the surrounding community,” said Harrell. “This legislation gives the City another tool to enhance nightlife safety and sets commonsense standards that late-night establishments must follow to increase safety and accountability.”
