City could lift Sunday morning liquor ban

After Sarasota County adopted new regulations allowing for Sunday morning liquor sales last month, some restaurants and stores have urged the city of Sarasota to follow suit.

Those businesses, longing to be governed by the same rules as their competitors in the unincorporated county, may soon get their wish. During a public hearing Monday evening, the Sarasota City Commission will consider revising the city code to allow for the sale and consumption of alcohol on Sunday mornings.

Under the current regulations, the city allows liquor sales from 7 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. every day except Sunday, when sales begin at noon. The proposed ordinance would allow Sunday sales to begin at 7 a.m., as well. Commissioners directed staff to prepare the revised regulations at a Nov. 17 meeting.

City businesses have indicated an interest in adopting the same regulations as the county, arguing that the Sunday morning ban has negatively affected their sales.

“I think it's actually pointless,” said Aleksandar Miskovic, a waiter at Café Americano, regarding the ban. “Every other county other than Sarasota County, they had it allowed.”

The full agenda for Monday’s meeting can be found on the city website.

IF YOU GO
What: Regular City Commission Meeting, evening session
When: 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1
Where: Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota

Contact David Conway at [email protected].