CAPE MAY, NJ – When Governor Phil Murphy allowed for outdoor dining, Cape May allowed its restaurants to open until 10 pm. It also allowed the sale of open container alcohol drinks until the 10 pm cut off, but this week, the city council changed that, allowing for bars and restaurants to serve food until midnight. The move makes a uniform closure time for all restaurant and bar based entertainment, food and drink establishments. Alchohol consumption is also allowed outdoors in certain parts of the city, including the beach, some parks and the Washington Street Mall.
The move is aimed at keeping small businesses in the city afloat while indoor dining remains banned in the state of New Jersey by the governor. Since changing its outdoor dining and alcohol sales and consumption ordinance, there has not been an increase in enforcement activity in the city, according to the police department.
The Press of Atlantic City has covered this topic in detail.