last call

[ last kawl ]

noun

1. an announcement made in a bar shortly before service of alcoholic beverages ends (sometimes used attributively): I’m getting too old for last call hookups.

   We do last call 30 minutes before we close the doors, and we stop serving drinks 10 minutes after last call.

   I’m getting too old for last call hookups.

Word History and Origins

Origin of last call¹

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

Example Sentences

On our last call, she’s about to head to Illinois to be a keynote speaker at the Chicago Women’s Expo.

From Los Angeles Times

Last call in California is 2 a.m., but Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill into law on Sunday that extends public drinking time for a select few: VIP suite holders at Inglewood’s new Intuit Dome arena.

From Los Angeles Times

Of course, print and online journalists show up in droves, and many stay until last call.

From Los Angeles Times

Lawmakers in the past have tried to extend the state’s last call restriction — states like New York allow alcohol to be served until 4 a.m. — without success.

From Los Angeles Times

California lawmakers have repeatedly tried and failed to extend the state’s last call laws to allow establishments to serve alcohol past 2 a.m., what they argue would be a boon for local economies.

From Los Angeles Times