Point Pleasant Beach Rules in Favor of Later Bar Closing

Marilou Halvorsen, a spokeswoman for Jenkinson's Boardwalk, told NBC 4 New York that the business' lawyer received the verbal approval from the state before 7 p.m.

 

"We are pleased, and hopefully this will give everybody the opportunity to move on, and work to communicate better," Halverson said.

 

The midnight closing law was passed by the council in May, but at the time, it said it intended to give the bars a way out by charging an extra fee in return for staying open later.

 

Jenkinson's Boardwalk and Martell's Tiki Bar called the extra fees "extortion" and asked the alcohol division to block implementation of the law until its director can fully assess the situation and issue a ruling.

 

New Jersey's ABC said Friday they have "been asked to rule on the legality of the ordinance and legal proceedings" on the council's rule, and will begin legal proceedings "in due course."

 

Discussions surrounding the last-call compromise collapsed earlier in June, as the borough and boardwalk bars tried unsuccessfully to negotiate a deal to help pay for added patrols to cut down on neighborhood disturbances. The bars had offered $800,000 over five years.

 

It was unclear Friday if the bars will continue their offer to pay for additional security.

 

Mayor Vincent Barrella and several council members cited bad behavior by bar patrons -- including public urination and defecation -- as the reason for implementing the earlier curfew. But many residents defended the bars, citing the town's reputation as a tourist destination and the financial benefit to staying open past midnight.