Closetime

Closetime is a term used to describe the time at which an establishment ends public operations for the day or when customers must leave. In retail and hospitality, closetime marks the end of sales, the closing of doors, and the start of closing procedures such as cash reconciliation and security checks. In many jurisdictions, closetime is defined by licensing or local ordinances, and may be the same as the official closing time or an earlier time for alcohol service.

Last call refers to the final opportunity to purchase alcoholic beverages before closing or before service ends, and it often occurs shortly before closetime. Some regions impose mandatory closing times or blue laws restricting activity on Sundays or after certain hours; other areas permit 24-hour operation.

Closetime procedures commonly include securing entrances, turning off display lighting, processing refunds or returns, and conducting inventory or end-of-day reporting. In some business models, closing time may be extended temporarily for special events or permit-holding venues, and some businesses operate with flexible hours based on customer demand or seasonality.

Cultural and economic factors influence closetime, with urban centers tending toward extended or late-night hours and rural areas often favoring earlier closing. Global variations exist: some countries have legally defined late-night hours or alcohol service restrictions, while others maintain relatively permissive operating windows.

Related terms include closing time, last call, lock-up, and curfew, as well as industry-specific phrases used to denote end-of-day routines.