After mass shooting, Miami-area's nightlife may see changes. How late could bars stay open?

MIAMI — After hours of contentious debate, Doral city council members voted Wednesday to move toward shuttering bars earlier in CityPlace Doral — a month after a mass shooting at Martini Bar killed two people and injured seven others.

Under the newly approved ordinance, most bars, nightclubs and entertainment venues would have a last call at 1:30 a.m. and close at 2 a.m., two hours earlier than usual.

While officials have to vote on the ordinance again in June before it becomes final, the proposal would still allow eligible businesses to obtain an extended hour permit to stay open until 4 a.m. Establishments in CityPlace and Downtown Doral, however, will be barred from obtaining the special exception.

The changes, if passed, would go into effect on Sept. 30.

The proposal, authored by council member Mauren Porras, led scores of people to the council chambers. Proponents of the measure called for shortened bar hours, earlier cutoffs of alcohol sales and more safety considerations. Bar owners said the measure would kill their businesses.

Though Doral Mayor Christi Fraga penned her own proposal, Porras’ passed in a 4-1 vote, with the mayor being the sole dissenting voice.

“This tragic event impacted us,” Fraga said as she turned to the families of the victims. “We should learn from our mistakes.”

The April 6 shooting, which occurred around 3:30 a.m., claimed the life of the bar’s 23-year-old security guard, George Castellanos. Seven people, including an unnamed Doral police officer, were injured.

They were identified as Lester Williams Gonzalez, 28; Sonia Muñoz Torres, 48; Gerard Patrick “Joe” Delaney, one of Martini Bar’s owners; siblings Yaniris Jerez, 30, and Miguel Jerez, 34; and Yaniris’ boyfriend Carlos Milán, 38.

Suspected shooter Jamal Wood, 37, died at the scene. Since the shooting, several victims have filed negligence lawsuits against Martini Bar and CityPlace.

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