License Commission — Temple Bar
Extend hours until 2:00 AM
Dear License Commission members:
I write in opposition to the Temple Bar's application to extend its hours until 2:00 AM. I have talked to a variety of Temple Bar neighbors about this issue and received emails from a number of others. Having lived near a bar myself in Porter Square for several years, I appreciate that the neighbors' concerns are valid and should be addressed before the Commission even considers extending Temple Bar's hours.
Primarily, the concerns revolve around the idea that even establishments with a 1:00 AM closing tend to be problematic neighbors. Mass Ave bar patrons in this area park in local lots and on neighborhood streets and wake up residents far too often with post-closure conversations, slamming of car doors, starting of cars, drunken arguments and the like. There is every reason to think that these, and similar behaviors, will multiply both in number and in scope if the closure hour of Temple Bar is extended by an hour. Additionally, the bothersome noise and activities would continue at least an additional hour into the night.
There is also a secondary concern, which is that a 2:00 AM closure changes an establishment's character from a pub or bar to a true nightclub, a destination spot for folks who have already eaten and are now simply looking to party. No one in the neighborhood wants to live next to Greater Boston's next clubbing hot spot and, while all of them knew there were bars in the area when they moved in, none of the bars, up until now, have been posing that hot spot, late night potential. Should Temple Bar have its hours extended, it would not be unreasonable for other local bars to expect the same competitive advantage and it is far too likely that many more bars adjacent to residential areas would wind up being open until 2:00 AM with the attendant problems noted above.
In short, there is no reason that I can think of that would justify extending the Temple Bar's hours at the expense of a neighborhood that is already dealing with its fair share of bar-related issues.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you might have about this communication.
Sincerely,
Craig Kelley
Cambridge City Council
6 St. Gerard Terrace
Cambridge, MA 02140
617-354-8353 (home)
617-349-4280 (Council office)