Ocean Drive hotels and cafés are fighting back against a Miami Beach referendum that could potentially prevent outdoor venues on the touristy strip from selling alcohol after 2 a.m.
Mango’s Tropical Cafe and 13 other Ocean Drive businesses recently filed suit in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, alleging that the city of Miami Beach’s referendum scheduled for November is invalid and seeking to repeal it, according to Local 10 News.
Christina White, the county’s supervisor, and Miami Beach are both named in the suit.
In June, the Miami Beach City Commission voted unanimously to let voters decide on a November 7 ballot whether outdoor venues on Ocean Drive should stop selling alcohol at 2 a.m. instead of the current cutoff time of 5 a.m. Venues that are completely enclosed or that are located entirely within hotels would not be affected.
Mayor Philip Levine proposed the idea following some fatal shootings during Memorial Weekend, claiming the popular strip is too loud and rowdy and contributes to increased crime.
But some local businesses argue the restriction on liquor sales could have an outsized impact the city’s bottom line. Hotels and cafes and restaurants between 5th and 15th street on Ocean Drive filing suit include The Carlyle, The Park Central Café and The Pelican Cafe. [Local 10] – Amanda Rabines
An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the Park Central hotel is suing the city. The Park Central Café, which has a different owner, is among the businesses suing the city.