Not really. I’ve bartended (and managed bartenders) in this state for twenty years. The only binding thing is the 2am cutoff, and that means no one is allowed to have ANY alcohol at 2am. For that reason, most places call last call 15–30 minutes before 2. Nothing out of the norm there, but he absolutely could have sold me one more beer at 1:40 saying that it has to be finished by 1:59.
I think that can put them in an off spot legally, depending on their local liquor board. I understand the bartenders reluctance.
Not really. I’ve bartended (and managed bartenders) in this state for twenty years. The only binding thing is the 2am cutoff, and that means no one is allowed to have ANY alcohol at 2am. For that reason, most places call last call 15–30 minutes before 2. Nothing out of the norm there, but he absolutely could have sold me one more beer at 1:40 saying that it has to be finished by 1:59.
I know in NY and CA there are to be no sales after the cutoff time but people are usually allowed to finish what they already bought past the time.
Most definitely not the case in California. No consuming after 2am no exceptions.
Maybe it is because I go to dive bars.