WASHINGTON -- The D.C. Council has approved emergency legislation allowing the city's bars, nightclubs and restaurants to stay open around the clock for four days around President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration. 

The bill allows any establishment with a liquor license to serve alcohol until 5 a.m. and serve food at any hour from Jan. 17 until the morning of Jan. 21. 

The council approved the measure in a 9-4 vote Tuesday and was pushed by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington. The organization says the inauguration is a rare event that is worthy of special rules. 

Councilman Phil Mendelson was among those voting against it, saying the relaxed regulations could cause more crime, violence and drunken driving.