3 a.m. closing time for Hull bars on tap

Closing time at bars in the Hull sector of Gatineaucould soon be pushed back to 3 a.m., at least on a trial basis.

After promising back in January to extend hours at downtown bars and bistros, Gatineaucity council will seek public input starting Dec. 19 to gauge whether there's an appetite for a pilot project, which could begin in the spring.

In 1997, following a steady stream ofcomplaints from people living near Hull's infamous bar strip, city councillorsrolled closing time up to 2 a.m., and there it has remained.

The move may have appeased neighbours, but business from Ottawa patrons making the cross-river trekto extend their nightof partying soon dried up.

Today, nightclub owners in the Hull sector saythat economic hangover from 20 years ago has long worn off. But that doesn't mean they're not eager to get the party started again.

'Killing the vibe'

"We've been really nice,we'velet you have your fun for 20 years killing the vibe. Now let us have a little vibe and let us have a pilot project,"ricGaudreault, who speaks forbar owners in the Hull sector, beseeched city councillors.

Gaudreault points out there are only about 10 bars in the Hull sector now, compared to more than 50 back in its heyday.

"It's a different time and we hardly ever see policemen at closing time because they don't have to be here because it's so controlled,"he said.

Former Gatineaupolice officer Pierre Lanthier remembers the wild bar strip of yesteryear, when fights spilled out of the numerous bars and onto the streets. Now he's a Gatineaucity councillor.

"We'll have to look at it and make the good decisionabout it,"he said.

Lanthiernoted bars in other sectors of Gatineau, like the rest of Quebec, are allowed to stay open until 3 a.m., and said it's a matter of equity for downtown business owners.

Residents of Gatineauhave until Jan. 15to express their views online.