Multiple Chico bars are closing by midnight for Halloween.
Bars are expected to close early because the city has mandated the Chico condition around this time of year, which requires them to close at midnight, said Lt. Mike O’Brien from Chico Police department.
Chico police asked bars to close early in order to lessen the activity on Halloween, similar to other popular holidays such as St. Patrick’s Day and Labor Day, he said.
Bars that are closing at midnight include: Bella’s Sports Pub, The Banshee, The Maltese, Oasis Bar & Grill, DownLo, Panama Bar and Cafe, The University Bar, Last Call Lounge and Duffy’s Tavern.
Bars that will be staying open until 2 a.m.: Crazy Horse Saloon and Riley’s.
Woodstock’s Pizza will be open until 2 a.m. but will stop serving alcohol at 1 a.m. Burgers & Brew will stop serving alcohol by midnight but will stay open until 3 a.m. Madison Bear Garden and Crush Dining Room & Lounge will close at 10 p.m. The Beach bar will not be open.
“We’ve been doing it for the last three years,” said Wes Cannon, Madison Bear Garden manager. “We’re voluntarily closing earlier. That’s our right and business — we want to do what’s right.”
Chico police will be expecting more activity Saturday instead of Friday because it’s going to rain, O’Brien said.
“Friday will be washed out so Saturday will be busy,” he said.
Alcoholic Beverage Control, University Police Department, Crisis Response, Paradise and Gridley Police Departments, the Probation Department, Glenn and Butte County sheriff’s office and Highway Patrol will be assisting Chico police this weekend, said O’Brien.
Last year, there were 79 arrests between the hours of 6 p.m. and 4 a.m. Thursday through Saturday, according to a previous Orion report. 12 of the 79 arrests were Chico State students.
On Halloween night, four Chico State students were arrested for being drunk in public, one for driving under the influence, one for fighting and one for domestic violence.
Christine Lee can be reached at [email protected] or @leechris017 on Twitter.
