New proposal could allow businesses on Long Beach boardwalk to sell alcohol

LONG BEACH, Long Island (WABC) -- The Long Beach City Council is considering a major change to the city's alcohol laws.

Under a new proposal, restaurants on the boardwalk would be allowed to sell alcohol.

Those behind it say changes could reshape Long Island's popular summer destination.

The proposed policy change does not change the fact that you cannot carry alcohol or drink on the boardwalk or beach.

However, it would make it easier for business owners at the boardwalk to sell alcohol at their establishments.

Residents weighed in ahead of the public hearing at City Hall.

"I think you have to be careful for safety reasons," Susan Hoffman said.

"It's probably a good idea because business will prosper up here," Ray Miley said.

The most recent effort to lift the ban with a similar proposal was shot down in 2017.

"I think the residents would benefit from it. The businesses would benefit and the city would benefit from it," Brendan Finn, Long Beach City Council President, said.

Finn is part of the five-member city council, casting the vote.

"To our west, Rockaway has many successful bar restaurants right there on the boardwalk, concession stands, and to our east, Jones Beach has a great bar and restaurant as well. Why is Long Beach left out of that?" Finn said.

City rules currently allow businesses with openings onto the boardwalk to sell only non-alcoholic beverages while also banning new drinking establishments from getting licenses citywide.

The goal of the current city code is to prevent criminal mischief, vandalism and loud noise.

There are exceptions, including Bright Eye Brewery on Park Avenue.

It was able to bypass the restrictions by getting approval from the zoning board.

"It's unnecessary. It takes away one of the protective factors that we have for kids," Judi Vining said.

Vining heads the state-funded drug and alcohol prevention nonprofit called Long Beach Aware.

"There's a ton of research that I can give you the citations that the number of establishments is directly correlated with the amount of underage drinking in that community. It normalizes it for kids," Vining said.

She says another concern is the potential additional public safety resources needed for crowd control.

"I've spoken with the police commissioner. I have spoken with a couple of the officials in the police department and they're very proactive right here and I feel that the safety factor has increased on our time on the council," Finn said.

City officials emphasized that the policy change would not allow carrying alcohol or drinking directly on the boardwalk or beach.

Still, some are concerned about serving alcohol to businesses so close to the ocean.

Susan Hoffman/Roslyn "If you could have it here and there, go run out there, it could be dangerous," Susan Hoffman said.

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