Last call? VIPs could drink alcohol until 4 a.m. at new Clippers arena if this bill becomes law

A measure headed to the state Assembly would allow alcohol to be served until 4 a.m. to dues-paying members of private suites in the Intuit Dome in Inglewood. The state Senate this week quietly approved a bill that could finally change that time prohibition, but only for a very select group: VIP suite holders at Inglewood’s new Intuit Dome arena. The bill, which was approved with little debate on the Senate floor Tuesday and now heads to the Assembly, would allow alcohol to be served until 4 a.m. to dues-paying members of private suites inside of Intuit Dome, the $2-billion, 17,700-seat new home of the Los Angeles Clippers that celebrated its grand opening this month. Assemblymember Tina McKinnor authored the bill and said that while it is “limited in scope,” the city of Inglewood needs the legislation to maintain “competitiveness.” The city is also home to arenas including the Forum and SoFi Stadium and has special entertainment needs, she said, and is held back by the state law that limits the sale of alcohol because it affects the number of attendees. Sen. Kelly Seyarto criticized the bill for being tailored to “an exclusive club” and said that to allow people to drink until 4 a.m. and “then turn them loose” on the streets of Inglewood is “the last thing that the city needs.” It is illegal to serve alcohol in California between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., and bartenders who do could be charged with a misdemeanor.