Restaurants in downtown Bratislava to begin closing at 10PM

As of October 10, restaurants, bars, cafes and disco clubs in downtown Bratislava will not be allowed to remain open after 10 PM, agreed the councillors of Old Town Bratislava on Tuesday. If an establishment has no openable windows, vestibule, which keeps the noise within the building and its ventilation meets specific requirements, it could be open until midnight during weekdays and until 1 AM on weekends. Thus, the councillors aim to prevent crowds of people and noise in the streets, a situation that has been disturbing the sleep of people living in the downtown. On the other hand, the restaurant operators argue that the new measures will liquidate their businesses. Moreover, the public also dislikes the change. Several public figures criticized the newly adopted restrictions and a protest event is planned for this weekend on social media. Its organizers plan a late night party in front of the flat of the mayor of the Old Town Bratislava.