Protesters are calling for a vote in opposition to Miami Seashore’s proposal to shut bars at 2 a.m. – NBC 6 South Florida

Last call at 2 a.m. instead of 5 a.m.?

The city of Miami Beach has been trying to achieve this for months. The first attempt was foiled in court. Now voters can vote on the issue in November in a straw vote that could carry enough weight to get the city commission to make it law.

The opportunity drew hundreds of protesters to City Hall on Wednesday morning and urged city residents to vote against the proposal. The owner of Mango’s on Ocean Drive, David Wallach, gave a fiery speech to the crowd using a megaphone.

“Anyone, especially a mayor or a commissioner, that we or our companies are responsible for street crime means to deceive all residents of our city, and it is a thoroughly lie, our residents deserve the truth, which is the truth we’re contributing to the Miami Beach economy, ”Wallach said to the cheers of the crowd.

“Almost all crime in our city, an incredible amount of it, only takes place in this small area,” said Mayor Dan Gelber, holding up display boards to illustrate the locations of the crimes, essentially tied to a business model of some Ocean Drive operators be.”

Gelber said there was no reason bars couldn’t survive closing at 2 a.m.

“Most shops, most bars, most destinations close at 2 a.m.,” said Gelber. “It’s an exception, only places like Bourbon Street and Las Vegas and Atlantic City are night cities, that’s not what we want to be.”

In true Miami Beach fashion, dozens of Mangos packed Tropical Cafe on Wednesday to – in the form of a celebration – protest against the withdrawn last call for alcohol at 2 a.m., NBC 6’s Ryan Nelson reports

But the people who make a living in the clubs and restaurants – the waiters and bartenders who demonstrated on Wednesday – wish the mayor stepped on their shoes before assessing the impact on their bank accounts.

“That will cut it down drastically, 50-60%, because the bulk and majority of our business takes place between 2am and 5am,” said Mario Trejo, bartender at Twist nightclub.

“This would be like a permanent change that would make it worse,” added Taylor Swink, a server at the Palace.

A bartender told us if we closed at 2am it would mean going home when the streets are busier and less safe, no more.

“I would feel a little more insecure walking back and forth to work, and when it comes to money, we make the most money between 1 and 4 so that would put a big dent in my pockets,” Breianna said. who didn’t want to reveal her last name.