Boston-area officials scramble to extend alcohol service for World Cup
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The race is on for cities and towns to greenlight extended alcohol service and public drinking districts, just days before the first World Cup match at Boston Stadium.
Why it matters: Beacon Hill swiftly passed the last-minute bill extending alcohol service as late as 3am, but in a commonwealth with 351 municipalities, that's just half the battle.
State of play: Somerville, Cambridge, Boston and other cities have opted into the new law and are accepting applications.
- Officials in Chelsea and Fall River plan to discuss whether to opt in to the extended alcohol service on Thursday. Brockton plans to discuss it next week.
- Foxborough hasn't opted in or out, and it hasn't heard any requests to extend its hours from local business owners, Town Manager Paige E. Duncan tells Axios.
Friction point: Lawmakers moved quickly to pass the last-minute alcohol service bill amid growing support, but the timing adds another complication for communities in the throes of World Cup planning.
- For Foxborough, "even considering this right now seems too much," Duncan wrote in an email, adding that licensing officials would likely need to consult with police first.
Zoom in: Boston's licensing board waived the two-week review period it usually requires for requests from businesses to amend their hours and will start processing applications this week, Mayor Michelle Wu said.
- Wu asked businesses with 2am closing times looking to serve alcohol until 3am to submit a special application.
- All other businesses should submit the usual one-day amendment application form, per the mayor's office.
What they're saying: Aldo Callejas, restaurant manager at La Hacienda in East Boston, says he looks forward to staying open later for international tourists.
- "I know there's a lot of tourism coming in from other countries that are used to being open later, so I feel like this 3am extension will definitely help cater to these tourists," Callejas said during a press conference Wednesday in Eastie, which is home to thousands of Colombian residents.
Cambridge licensing officials voted Wednesday to let restaurants request a one-hour extension to alcohol service.
- Cambridge officials plan to work with bars and restaurants extending service into the early morning to keep patrons from bar hopping well past midnight.
Yes, but: Somerville, Chelsea and other cities aren't planning to create public drinking districts.
- Cambridge licensing officials approved public drinking districts in Central Square, Lower Mass. Ave., Kendall Square, Inman Square, Porter Square and Harvard Square.
- Only existing licensees approved by the city can sell individual drinks to-go to be consumed within a district.
- Boston is looking into creating a special drinking district, a city spokesperson said.
What's next: The first World Cup games begin Thursday in Mexico — Mexico vs. South Africa in Mexico City, and South Korea vs. Czechia in Guadalajara.
- The first match at Boston Stadium, Haiti vs. Scotland, kicks off at 9pm Saturday.