2012 gave proponents of tight restrictions on alcohol sales ample opportunity to drink their troubles away. Early in the year, Mayor Vince Gray proposed extending bar hours to 3 a.m. on weekdays and 4 a.m. on weekends, to raise $3.2 million in new tax revenue. The D.C. Council spiked that, but did let liquor stores open earlier and allow bars to stay open until 4 a.m. for inauguration weekend next month.

The major overhaul, though, came on Dec. 4, when the Council voted to allow liquor stores to open on Sundays. With that move, D.C. joins Virginia and Montgomery County in allowing Sunday sales. The measure also permits wine pubs and the sale of growlers, and stiffens penalties for liquor license violations. Not included: Proposals to restrict who can protest liquor license applications and to put new constraints on alcohol sales at places like CVS and Walgreens. Time for a nightcap in 2013?