尽管美国向来捍卫个人自由，但长期以来对夜生活和饮酒娱乐却持有保守限制的态度。自从1933年禁酒令结束以来，美国形成了一套繁杂的法律，如限制酒类执照的发售数量和实行批发配给垄断。此外，分区法和社区审查委员会进一步限制了酒吧和娱乐场所的设立。这些繁琐的官僚程序使得在某些地区，一个18岁的年轻人购买半自动步枪比创业者开设一家社区酒吧还要简单，而新泽西州的酒类执照平均成本更是高达35万美元。
实际上，充满活力的夜间经济具有不可忽视的经济和社会效益。经济层面上，活跃的街区能吸引高技能年轻人才在此社交与工作，且增加的街面人流量会让街道更安全。社会政策层面上，酒吧和音乐场所是年轻人面对面交流的重要场所。数据显示，在2003年至2023年期间，18至30岁的美国年轻人日均社交时间骤降了38%，且三分之一的22至35岁单身人士在过去一年中没有进行过任何约会。这表明增加线下互动场所能够有效对抗过度使用手机所带来的社交孤立。
为了重振夜生活，美国城市亟需简化审批流程，以防创业者承担高额的等待成本，并取消酒类执照的任意配额。同时，政府应当增加公共服务投入，比如改善深夜公共交通和加强警力以保障安全。令人欣慰的是，一些城市已经开始转变思路：纽约市取消了限制在酒吧跳舞的禁令，旧金山简化了娱乐场所的许可证审批，而波士顿在6月份世界杯期间受苏格兰球迷的热情启发，也增加了酒类执照的供应并探讨延长营业时间。
Despite its pride in defending individual liberty, America has long maintained a surprisingly restrictive stance toward nightlife and alcohol consumption. Since Prohibition ended in 1933, a complex web of regulations has emerged, including caps on liquor licenses and state monopolies over distribution. Municipal zoning laws and neighborhood review boards further complicate opening entertainment venues. As a result of this red tape, it is easier in some U.S. jurisdictions for an 18-year-old to purchase a semi-automatic rifle than for an entrepreneur to open a neighborhood bar, and the average cost of a liquor license in New Jersey has soared to approximately $350,000.
However, a thriving nightlife yields substantial economic and social benefits. Economically, lively streets attract skilled young workers who want to socialize and build careers, while increased foot traffic naturally makes public spaces safer. Socially, bars and music venues provide critical physical spaces for young people to connect. Official data shows that between 2003 and 2023, the average daily socializing time for Americans aged 18 to 30 fell by 38%, and roughly one-third of singles aged 22 to 35 did not go on a single date in the past year, indicating that active nightlife could help counter the isolation of screen time.
To support late-night economies, U.S. cities should accelerate permit processes to reduce waiting costs for business owners, simplify complex rules, and eliminate arbitrary caps on liquor licenses. Municipalities must also invest in practical safety measures, such as reliable late-night public transit and increased policing. Fortunately, progress is being made: New York City removed rules restricting dancing in bars, San Francisco streamlined its permit process, and Boston increased its supply of liquor licenses and debated later closing hours, partially inspired by good-natured Scottish football fans visiting for the World Cup in June.
Source: America should stop making it so hard to have fu
Subtitle: Bureaucracy is nightlife’s toughest bouncer
Dateline: Jul 16, 2026 04:58 AM