drink up

Coinciding nicely with Cocktail Week here in San Francisco, the Governor has signed into law the bill sponsored by our own Mark Leno repealing the prohibition-era law prohibiting bartenders and bars from infusing their own liquors.  Rumors run rampant about a corrupt and amok ABC, particularly in SF where they appear to shake down bars for occupancy/noise/patrons queueing on sidewalk issues, and even closing down Slim's for spurious noise complaints (far outside their purview and a potentially illegal abuse of power).  For some unknown reason, local constabularies have been hassling without apparent rhyme or reason certain bars and bartenders for flavoring or infusing their own vodkas with fruits or flavors, sometimes inequitably imposing $250 fines for doing so, and citing an alcohol control ordinance that hadn't been enforced since the repeal of prohibition.  Why does "state" + "alcohol control" so often = "corruption"?  Dunno.

What is nice to know is that now there are even more tasty treats your skilled mixologist can concoct recommend without fear of government reprisal.  Happy Cocktail Week.

And on a related note, the saga behind the closing of the Eagle bar and the fate of both the Eagle bar identity and its liquor license are sill unfolding.  As usual, the Bay Area Report has some excellent local reporting.