Aurora OKs 3 a.m. liquor sales after blues festival

Eateries on Aurora's downtown Restaurant Row can apply for a permit to sell alcohol until 3 a.m. June 17 and 18.

The measure was approved 11-1 by the Aurora City Council Tuesday night, but it triggered a debate not only about drinking, but also about how to govern Aurora as a business-friendly city.

Alderman Rick Lawrence opened the discussion by saying he does not oppose drinking on a moral level, but approving the resolution would appear to support another hour of alcohol consumption, which may be a dangerous stance for the city to take. He voted against the liquor license extensions.

“To encourage another hour of drinking ... it's just a weird position for a municipality to be in,” Lawrence said.

Alderman Richard Irvin said he sees the liquor license extensions as a way to allow businesses to do what they do — in this case, sell alcohol. The license extensions will be available for $50 to Restaurant Row venues that can prove they have live entertainment booked after both days of the Blues on the Fox music festival.

Allowing New York Street restaurants La Quinta De Los Reyes, Hollywood Casino, The Comfort Zone BBQ Restaurant, Ballydoyle Irish Pub and Chef Amaury's to apply for the privilege of selling alcohol one hour longer does not necessarily mean the city is condoning drinking, Irvin said.

“As you have said in the past, we should let businesses be businesses and do what they do,” Irvin said, directing his comments to Lawrence.

Alderman Rick Mervine said he sees the liquor license extensions as a trial period to see how an arts and entertainment district envisioned for Aurora's downtown should be governed.

Mervine said he does not see an issue with allowing an extra hour of alcohol sales, since many looking for night life don't go out until 10 or 11 p.m., anyway. Alderman John “Whitey” Peters agreed, saying today's bar patrons usually are safe and responsible.

Trying longer liquor sales for two nights will allow the city to note whether any problems occur with over-served bar patrons or drunken drivers.

“We need this information to be able to know what we're doing moving forward,” Mervine said.