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The final information is subject to the latest release from the following official websites:
Businesses with a Consumption or Tavern License wishing to remain open beyond the regular time of closing may obtain a Late Hour Liquor License if they meet certain criteria and follow the application process outlined below.
Hours of Operation
The closing hour under a standard Consumption or Tavern liquor license is 2 am, Monday through Saturday, and 3 am on Sunday. With a Late Hour Liquor License, those establishments are permitted to remain open until 4 am Monday through Saturday and 5 am on Sunday. The legal opening time for all liquor establishments is 7 am, Monday through Saturday, and 11 am Sunday. Restaurants (or Tavern licensees with a Retail Food License) can begin selling liquor at 9 am on Sunday.
Application Process
In order to apply for a Late Hour Liquor License, applicants must first hold an incidental-consumption on premises or tavern liquor license.
If 50 or more legal voters reside within a distance of 500 feet from the licensed premises the applicant is required to send written notice to all legal registered voters within 500 feet of the licensed premises. The applicant must send notices via certified mail with a return receipt requested. The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection can provide a sample notice.
The applicant is required to submit an affidavit stating that the local voters have been notified and that written notice has been provided to the local alderman informing him/her of the late hour application. A sign containing notice of the Late Hour Liquor License application must also be posted in a secured place conspicuous from the public way.
If there are more than 50 registered voters residing within 500 ft. of the applicant’s premises, the applicant must obtain and file a petition, signed by a majority of the legal voters registered within the affected area, giving consent to the business to file a Late Hour Liquor License application. The license application must be submitted within sixty (60) days of the date the petition was signed by the first legal voter.
Please note that a majority of the legal voters living within 500 feet of the licensed premises may file a petition requesting the Commissioner of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection to suspend or revoke the Late Hour Liquor License privilege. Upon a finding to discontinue the late hour privilege, the Commissioner of the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection may either revoke such privilege permanently or suspend it for a period of not more than 30 days.
The Late Hour Liquor License Exterior Safety Plan
V: 4-60-130(f)
Chicago has a vibrant nightlife with many bars and nightclubs that operate late into the night. To help improve the quality of life for nearby residents and ensure the safety of patrons, the City requires all liquor establishments with a Late Hour liquor license to operate with an exterior safety plan.
What Is An Exterior Safety Plan?
- The City of Chicago liquor license code and rules and regulations lay out the requirements for a Late Hour Exterior Safety Plan.
- The plan must address specific concerns in order to maintain the quality of life for residents in the surrounding neighborhood, provide patrons with a safe environment when exiting and entering the establishment , and reduce the need for police resources.
What Does The Plan Require?
- The implementation of preventative measures designed to reduce excessive noise from patrons entering and leaving the establishment, loitering, littering, fighting, other criminal activity and control departing crowds and traffic flow.
- The installation of surveillance cameras at entrances and exits used by the public recording from 1:00 am to 6:00 am. Recordings are required to be maintained for 30 days.
- The installation of adequate exterior lighting.
- Employment of adequately trained security personnel. The plan should include the number of on-site personnel for security and the extent of their security training.
- For detailed requirement, see 4-60-130(f) of the Municipal Code and visit our website www.cityofchicago.org/bacp for rules and regulations.
Submitting Your Exterior Safety Plan
- Late Hour licensees must have a exterior safety plan submitted to BACP.
- New Late Hour license applicants must submit an exterior safety plan prior to the issuance of a Late Hour liquor license.
- Public way use fees for cameras and associated equipment, such as wiring or lighting, installed over the public way will be waived.
What Is Your Responsibility As A Late Hour Liquor Licensee?
You are responsible to your patrons and the community to operate a safe and nuisance free business.
- CALL 911: As a liquor licensee, you are required to notify the police of any illegal act that occurs inside or within view outside of your business establishment.
- ATTEND CAP MEETINGS
- POST EXTERIOR SAFETY PLAN
- KEEP A LOG OF POLICE CALLS PLACED BY EMPLOYEES
- ENSURE EMPLOYEES RECEIVE BASSET OR TIPS TRAINING
More information about this ordinance is available at www.cityofchicago.org/bacp or contact a business consultant at 312-74-GOBIZ
Tips On Playing It Safe
- Always maintain the proper amount of security on the premise.
- Provide employees with professional security training and attend security seminars.
- Conduct emergency drills and have written emergency policies.
- Enforce occupancy limits at all times.
- Post a sign outside your establishment that reads ”Respect Neighbors, Leave Quietly.”
- Contact cab companies before closing to reduce waiting times for patrons.
- Valet companies should retrieve cars in a quick manner to reduce waiting times for patrons and control traffic flow.
- Schedule the proper amount of refuse pick up to avoid overflowing a trash bin.
Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection
The Local Liquor Control Commission
121 N. LaSalle Street, Room 805 Chicago, Illinois 60602