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Scots drink Boston bars dry amid World Cup festivities

Boston-area bars welcome the sales boost amid a challenging economy.

Business

Empty kegs, emergency beer shipments, tabs the length of the infamous CVS receipts — the Scotland effect is boosting sales in Boston&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struggling bar scene" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/08/07/liquor-licenses-new-restaurants" data-vars-content-id="7f69857e-f527-4537-bead-ca6aa035f8ec" data-vars-headline="Scots drink Boston bars dry amid World Cup festivities" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/08/07/liquor-licenses-new-restaurants" target="_self">struggling bar scene</a>.Between the lines: Boston&#x27;s drinking culture has shown signs of drying up in recent years, which restaurant owners attribute to shrinking corporate budgets, rising costs and the rise of cannabis and zero-proof drinks.

Mass. high court strikes tax cut from ballot

The court ruled that the official summary of the initiative was misleading.

The Supreme Judicial Court on Thursday blocked <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a ballot initiative" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/05/massachusetts-income-tax-cut-ballot-question-2026-sjc-ruling-andrea-campbell-finfer" data-vars-content-id="1d0eac44-8722-4c33-8a7b-d18df121db7d" data-vars-headline="Mass. high court strikes tax cut from ballot" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/05/massachusetts-income-tax-cut-ballot-question-2026-sjc-ruling-andrea-campbell-finfer" target="_self">a ballot initiative</a> that would have slashed the state&#x27;s personal income tax rate from 5% to 4%.Why it matters: The high court ruling kills a business-backed ballot measure that opponents say could have created a $5 billion budget hole.<ul><li>It&#x27;s a major victory for labor unions and progressive groups against the Mass. business community.</li></ul>

Why chaos gardening with native plants is taking over Massachusetts yards

Local experts say you need a little intention to help native plants thrive.

Climate

Chaos gardening — the viral TikTok trend of scattering seeds and &quot;letting nature decide&quot; — is surging across the country as demand for native plants reaches new heights.Why it matters: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Native" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/16/native-plants-michigan-yards-wildlife-experts" data-vars-content-id="f24ea706-ed8e-427b-a8d3-cb6ef9703542" data-vars-headline="Why chaos gardening with native plants is taking over Massachusetts yards" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/detroit/2026/04/16/native-plants-michigan-yards-wildlife-experts" target="_self">Native</a> chaos gardens appeal to New England homeowners seeking lower-maintenance yards that also help local wildlife thrive.

Mass. Senate primary care bill raises financial questions

State lawmakers want to increase primary care spending, but industry leaders raise questions over how.

Health

Massachusetts state senators plan to vote on a bill seeking to increase <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="primary care access" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/01/25/massachusetts-doctos-family-drain" data-vars-content-id="1d8f22c4-8e24-4db7-9293-cd0755507bd3" data-vars-headline="Mass. Senate primary care bill raises financial questions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2023/01/25/massachusetts-doctos-family-drain" target="_self">primary care access</a>, but questions remain about how it will be funded.Why it matters: 75% of Massachusetts residents surveyed last year reported having a preventive care appointment in the last 12 months, down from over 81% in 2023.

Cheapskate's Guide to Boston Stadium tailgating

Beers at Boston Stadium start at $16, and the food prices are similarly high.

Food and Drink

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/14/world-cup-frantzdy-pierrot-haiti-scotland" data-vars-content-id="e2e0d9dc-cbbf-41a2-a1d8-8905f7b2f02a" data-vars-headline="Cheapskate&#x27;s Guide to Boston Stadium tailgating" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/14/world-cup-frantzdy-pierrot-haiti-scotland" target="_self">World Cup</a> fans have found various ways to cut down on costs in Massachusetts, from renting a school bus to avoid transit hikes to finding cheap eats.Why it matters: Blame FIFA or Boston&#x27;s high cost of living for sky-high prices, but World Cup fans say they won&#x27;t shell out extra money that easily.

Boston-area officials scramble to extend alcohol service for World Cup

Some cities and towns are racing to approve later last calls.

The race is on for cities and towns to greenlight <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extended alcohol service" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/08/massachusetts-last-call-extended-drinking-districts-bill" data-vars-content-id="1d43cee0-f915-4596-9889-04b7e67c3845" data-vars-headline="Boston-area officials scramble to extend alcohol service for World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/08/massachusetts-last-call-extended-drinking-districts-bill" target="_self">extended alcohol service</a> 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&#x27;s just half the battle.

Mass. workers prepare to spot signs of assault and abuse this summer

Advocates and authorities are working with hospitality workers to spot the signs and intervene.

Public Safety

Days before the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2026 FIFA World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/boston-world-cup-watch-parties-fan-fest" data-vars-content-id="51a26eda-d306-4d40-9c4e-d21732875d06" data-vars-headline="Mass. workers prepare to spot signs of assault and abuse this summer" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/boston-world-cup-watch-parties-fan-fest" target="_self">2026 FIFA World Cup</a> begins, dozens of Boston-area bar managers, event organizers and advocates tuned in to a virtual training.<ul><li>Here, they learned about red flags that might otherwise go unnoticed during large-scale events: signs of sexual assault, domestic violence and human trafficking.</li></ul>

Behind Quincy chef Laurence Louie's rise on "Top Chef"

The community organizer turned chef owns Rubato HK Café in Quincy.

The line to order at Rubato HK Café spilled out the door Sunday as the staff served up HK French toast, bolo bao buns and, most recently, some dishes that were featured on &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Top Chef: Carolinas" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/30/axios-charlotte-gets-a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-top-chef-filming" data-vars-content-id="11efda2d-ad1e-48f7-945c-85539daad21e" data-vars-headline="Behind Quincy chef Laurence Louie&#x27;s rise on &quot;Top Chef&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/30/axios-charlotte-gets-a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-top-chef-filming" target="_self">Top Chef: Carolinas</a>.&quot;<ul><li>Laurence Louie, the owner and a contestant, sold out of his &quot;Top Chef&quot; specials in under two hours.</li></ul>

Massachusetts House passes bill extending last call for liquor sales

The proposal now moves to the Senate for a vote.

Politics

The Mass. House unanimously passed a bill Thursday that would <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="extend last call" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/02/massachusetts-later-alcohol-sales-districts-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="be74bf6d-3421-4308-a033-ec5fe4acdf7d" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts House passes bill extending last call for liquor sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/06/02/massachusetts-later-alcohol-sales-districts-world-cup" target="_self">extend last call</a> for alcohol sales until 3am this summer.Why it matters: The highly anticipated bill would put Massachusetts cities and towns serving World Cup fans on par with other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup host cities" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/massachusetts-world-cup-liquor-sales-hours" data-vars-content-id="be74bf6d-3421-4308-a033-ec5fe4acdf7d" data-vars-headline="Massachusetts House passes bill extending last call for liquor sales" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/27/massachusetts-world-cup-liquor-sales-hours" target="_self">World Cup host cities</a> offering late-night service.

Mass. could have among earliest alcohol cutoff times during World Cup

Boston area bars may have to close before some matches end.

While other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="World Cup" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/05/boston-restaurants-world-cup" data-vars-content-id="1a8e32ad-4d75-4caf-8f76-dc830c3ebeff" data-vars-headline="Mass. could have among earliest alcohol cutoff times during World Cup" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/05/05/boston-restaurants-world-cup" target="_self">World Cup</a> destinations extend their hours for booze sales, Massachusetts&#x27; 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.

For Boston's next café empire, growth isn't everything

The Panera founder is quietly building Tatte and Life Alive — without outside investors or exit plans.

Two Boston-area <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="café brands" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/03/11/favorite-coffee-best-dunkin-tatte-doughboy" data-vars-content-id="3a1f3e2d-98d4-40ed-898a-551c5eb2c20c" data-vars-headline="For Boston&#x27;s next café empire, growth isn&#x27;t everything" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2024/03/11/favorite-coffee-best-dunkin-tatte-doughboy" target="_self">café brands</a> have quietly grown from neighborhood hangouts into a multi-state empire.Why it matters: Boston-area brands Tatte Bakery &amp; Café and Life Alive Organic Café have expanded to dozens of locations across the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.

Cape Cod's hottest new spots this summer

From Brazilian comfort food to tarot-themed cocktails, here's what's new on the Cape this season.

Things to Do

Every year, the dining scene on Cape Cod rearranges itself with openings, new concepts and fresh starts in familiar locations.<ul><li>Prepare to dig in at some of the spots we&#x27;re most excited to try this season.</li></ul>

First look: Novo Marketplace, opens in Allston

The food hall opens May 1 with cuisine ranging from Indian to Korean to Indonesian.

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Novo Marketplace" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/24/allston-food-hall-vendors-seek-alcohol-licenses" data-vars-content-id="d877f31e-9a20-492f-993b-145f5c37e432" data-vars-headline="First look: Novo Marketplace, opens in Allston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boston/2026/03/24/allston-food-hall-vendors-seek-alcohol-licenses" target="_self">Novo Marketplace</a> opens Friday, bringing a gathering space with a dozen Asian food vendors to Allston. Why it matters: Some U.S. food halls are struggling to turn a profit — the latest example being <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Time Out Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/time-out-market-food-hall-boston-not-closing/" data-vars-content-id="d877f31e-9a20-492f-993b-145f5c37e432" data-vars-headline="First look: Novo Marketplace, opens in Allston" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/time-out-market-food-hall-boston-not-closing/" target="_blank">Time Out Market</a>— but owner Winson Chen is betting on the demand for gathering spaces and Asian cuisine in the Allston-Brighton area.

Food and Drink 🍽

South End restaurant Oishii is closing

Scots drink Boston bars dry amid World Cup festivities

Cheapskate's Guide to Boston Stadium tailgating

Boston-area officials scramble to extend alcohol service for World Cup

Mass. workers prepare to spot signs of assault and abuse this summer