Plans for state legislation that would extend last call for bars from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. are in the making. Keeping the lights on longer could help the industry recover losses from restrictions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Extending bar hours is one way some establishments could bump up revenue, though there are doubts among some who worry they can’t muster the necessary staffing.

That shouldn’t stop others from taking advantage of a new opportunity.

Giving a restaurant/bar the right to postpone last call doesn’t mean it’s mandatory.

The hospitality sector was ravaged by the coronavirus and its concurrent restrictions. While employment numbers for restaurants, bars and hotels have been trending up of late, the fact remains that well over 100,000 restaurants closed nationwide due to the virus. Many of those that remained in business held on by the skin of their teeth by selling takeout or partnering with meal-delivery apps.

Law enforcement in some states has expressed concerns about increased traffic accidents if the hours for selling and consuming alcohol are extended, but research indicates this isn’t likely.

Some restaurant owners have said that instead of postponing last call, they’d like to be able to sell takeout cocktails, wine and beer for an extended period into the wee hours. The propositions aren’t mutually exclusive. Both options should be on the legislative table.

This sector is in need of a government hand up. Pennsylvania’s eateries and bars are a vital part of the state’s economy, and lawmakers should look to creative solutions in helping those that survived the pandemic to rebound.

— Pittsburgh Post-Gazette/TNS