Breakfast links: Blame it on the alcohol

Closing time

A DC Council committee rejected longer bar hours in favor of a higher alcohol tax in order to raise revenue. The longer hours could come back into the bill later this month. (Post)

A dryer U St.?

A new group is calling for a moratorium on liquor licences around U Street. Though other solutions might be better than a moratorium, the group’s leader is skeptical. (City Paper)

Where the bars are

Ward 2 leads DC with 40% of all liquor licences, followed by Wards 1 and 6. ANC 2B near Dupont Circle has more liquor licenses than than five of the city’s wards. (borderstan)

How to succeed in coffee

Independent coffee shops can have a tough time, but there are ways to increase a shop’s chance of success, including quality, holding events, and getting a license to sell alcohol. (City Paper)

Good and bad for WMATA transparency

WMATA brought back daily Metrorail service reports, adding transparency. But Board chair Cathy Hudgins asked the Inspector General not to speak to the Riders’ Advisory Council at the last minute. (TBD)

Watch out for the tracks

Mary Cheh wants DDOT to look into making streetcar tracks safer for bikes and educating riders to the dangers of riding into them. (DCist)

Arts District tops

The mixed use Art District Hyattsville was named the best economic development project in Maryland this year. The Route 1 development is “creating an economic renaissance in Hyattsville.” (Patch, Scott)  (Tip: Scott)

Gas mileage performance parking?

A planned parking lot in Boston will give a 10% discount to hybrid and electric vehicles and charge 10% more for cars with poor gas mileage. It only has 12 spots total, though. (Co.Exist)

And…

The Mall design contest has winners. (Post) … Alexandria wants to transfer road money to study the Potomac Yard Metro. (Examiner) … Higher parking rates are likely for Montgomery County. (Examiner) … Trees make a comeback in Adams Morgan. (The 42)