Mass. could have among earliest alcohol cutoff times during World Cup
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While other World Cup destinations extend their hours for booze sales, Massachusetts' plans remain in limbo.
Why it matters: The Boston area will likely have one of the earliest alcohol cutoff times among host cities during the international tournament, even as some games kick off as late as midnight Eastern time.
Catch up quick: Other cities have passed rules extending alcohol sales, including Philadelphia (until 4am) and Kansas City (3am).
- New York, Miami and Los Angeles, among other cities, already allow alcohol sales into the early hours of the morning, reflecting major cities worldwide.
Then there's Boston. Blame Massachusetts' puritanical approach to alcohol sales or legislative inaction, but neither Boston-area cities nor Foxborough — home to Boston Stadium — are letting bars and restaurants operate past 2am.
- The other major cities with similar closing times are Atlanta, which stops serving alcohol at 2:30am most days, and San Francisco.
Yes, but: Atlanta officials voted to suspend their open container laws in part of downtown during the World Cup.
- San Francisco may be sticking to its 2am cutoff, but it also has the benefit of watching games on West Coast time.
State of play: A bill filed this month by Rep. Carole Fiola to extend alcohol sales until 3am from June 1 until Aug. 31 is making its way through the legislature.
- The House referred the proposal to the economic development and emerging technologies committee, which would have to vote on whether to advance the bill.
- Fiola, the committee's House chair, in a statement, described the measure as an "idea worth exploring that's being done in other states."
- The Senate hasn't taken action on the bill.
Across the state's southern border, bars and restaurants are applying to get their hours extended as late as 4am throughout the World Cup.
- Rhode Island lawmakers approved a bill this month allowing communities to let businesses stay open later and sell alcohol up to 3am during the tournament.
- Business owners have to apply at least two weeks in advance, and cities and towns can still opt out or modify the rules, WPRI reported.
Reality check: Massachusetts' likelihood of extending hours for alcohol sales has become increasingly slim with 16 days to go before the first match at Boston Stadium.
- Even high-priority bills typically take weeks — if not months or years — to get a vote in the House and Senate.
- And Gov. Maura Healey has 10 days to act on a bill once it reaches her desk.
The bottom line: The next two weeks will determine whether Massachusetts cities will extend their late-night options or if patrons will have to cross the border into Rhode Island for the late-night games.