City government has mandated that the sale of alcohol in Tijuana will now be limited. The local business organization, Cómite Empresarial y Turistico Mexicano (CETURMEX), salutes the limited hours of sale as a way of demonstrating the city’s commitment to changing its image from the anything-goes town to a city of more refined behavior.

“It’s a measure that we support, despite the discontent that exists [among those who see the measure as a threat to income],” said Andrés Mendéz, a coordinator for the business association. "We believe that it is a good measure because of the car crashes and fights, among other situations that arise with increased alcohol use."

Convenience stores will have off-sale liquor available for purchase between 10 a.m. and midnight. Liquor stores, restaurant bars, and tourist bars (i.e. strip clubs and bordello bars) must shut down their sales at 2 a.m. and may not commence again until 10 a.m. Café cantantes (defined as bars offering singing/dancing entertainment and perhaps karaoke) may not sell hooch after 3 a.m.

In the past, TJ bars were known to stay open 24 hours a day; some establishment owners paid special fees to the city for the privilege of remaining open after hours. Now, scofflaws will be fined and ultimately closed down if they violate the new stipulations.

The recent shooting of a Mexican soccer star at an after-hours bar in Mexico City has left an unsavory impression of such establishments, an impression that Tijuana does not want to foster.

Source: Frontera