Miami Passes Spring Break Ordinance

If you are looking to party into the wee hours of the morning on your Spring break, Miami may not be the place for you. While it is typically a top destination for spring breakers, the city leaders passed a temporary ordinance to restrict alcohol sales in certain areas during the spring break season. 

Miami’s Spring Break Ordinance

During a special commission meeting on Wednesday, the city voted to restrict alcohol sales after 2 a.m. in certain heavily trafficked areas during the busiest two weeks of the spring break season. The temporary ordinance will be between March 7 and March 21 and affect all businesses south of 16th street that allows on-site drinking.

Miami Beach city commissioner, Alex Fernandez, said the ordinance will “ensure a safe environment as we protect the quality of life of our residents in a temporary ordinance.”

Last year, the city elected to enact a curfew and state of emergency for several weeks as the South Miami Police Department struggled to control shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of spring breakers amid the pandemic. 

“During March — on either side of St. Patrick’s Day, at the high point at spring break — the disorder in our city is intolerable. It’s just that simple,” Mayor Dan Gelber said.

Not Everyone is On Board

Several business owners said limiting alcohol sales in just one area is unfair. Jimmy Resnick, the landlord for South Beach club Exchange Miami, said the ordinance would impact his establishment.

“They have to close at two o’clock. You walk approximately a block and a half, and you’re at Mr. Jones — they get to open until 5 o’clock … it’s ludicrous,” he said. “I think that you do it citywide, or you don’t do it at all.”

David Martinez, one of the owners of the bar Sweet Liberty, said he does not believe the limit will help.

“Safety is everybody’s priority. Whether you believe in two o’clock, five o’clock — it’s everyone’s priority,” he said during the meeting. “I do not believe that closing at two o’clock is going to remedy anything,” Martinez said. “On the contrary, I think it’s going to allow everybody to empty into the streets at the same time and cause probably more violence.” After over an hour of public and city comment, the commission voted to approve the ordinance 4-3.