The city of San Francisco, concerned about the possibility of rioting occurring for the 2013 Super Bowl, was teetering with the idea of imposing an alcohol ban on the day of the big game.
Mayor Ed Lee suggested that restricting hard alcohol might lead to increased safety surrounding the most anticipated football event of the year, according to sfgate.com
But the news of an alcohol ban is not something that city restaurant and bars want to hear considering the high profit they accumulate from Super Bowl festivities.
Business owner Adam DeMezza says that he agrees with the mayor's concern, but thinks it will be difficult to accomplish.
"It's a good idea, but it's going to be a tough sell," DeMezza of Giordano Brother's sandwich and sports bar tells sfgate.com. "I can see where he's (the mayor) is coming from. I'm right on 16th and Velencia. We saw it go down between 16th and 18th streets after the World Series."
Executive director of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association Rob Black said that city restaurants and bars are already required to serve alcohol responsibly.
"Our members are very responsible, and we don't' serve alcohol to people who are intoxicated. It's against the law to do that," he said.
Black also said that he agrees with the rioting concern but thinks the best step to approach the issue is to permit direct contact between business owners and police so they can notify the authorities of any unruly customers.
Lee is attempting to find middle ground between securing the public while ensuring that businesses do not suffer financial consequences resulting from the ban. And with that, the mayor also said that he plans to stay in the city, rather than go see the big game in New Orleans, to supervise any celebratory fallout after the game.
"I want the city to be both celebratory and safe for everyone," Lee said.