Warsaw council backs night alcohol ban in two districts

Warsaw councillors approved a ban on late-night alcohol sales in Śródmieście and Praga-Północ, to run from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. and cover shops and petrol stations.

Officials noted that other cities first limited sales of alcohol in selected areas before widening the rules—citing Poznań, Katowice, Wrocław, Kraków, and Gdańsk—some of which later extended the bans citywide.

Photo: Shutterstock/Syda Productions

The curbs will take effect 14 days after publication in the Mazovia provincial journal, most likely on Nov. 1.

The measures passed with 55 votes in favor for each district. One councillor abstained on Śródmieście, while two voted against the Praga-Północ ban.

City documents said public consultations produced calls to start with Śródmieście and Praga-Północ and then expand restrictions across the capital.

Officials noted other cities first limited sales in selected areas before widening the rules—citing Poznań, Katowice, Wrocław, Kraków and Gdańsk—some of which later extended bans citywide.

Warsaw’s path to restrictions has shifted: Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski initially opposed a ban, later backed a citywide measure, then withdrew it in favor of a pilot in the two central districts. He also said he will submit a spring proposal for a citywide ban starting June 1.

Elsewhere, Wrocław introduced a 10 p.m.–6 a.m. ban on Oct. 9; businesses that breach it face penalties and loss of their alcohol licence. Łódź will begin a similar overnight ban on Friday in neighborhoods including Katedralna, Śródmieście-Wschód, Stary Widzew, Stare Polesie, Górniak, Bałuty-Doły and Bałuty-Centrum.

(jh)

Source: PAP