Kansas City approves path to 4am beers during World Cup
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City Council on Thursday voted to extend the hours businesses can sell alcohol during the World Cup — with some restrictions.
Why it matters: Between late games and international nightlife norms, Kansas City leaders are trying to balance the pros and cons of hosting the world's biggest party.
- Staying open later could help local businesses cash in on visitors and fans.
Catch up quick: Missouri lawmakers last July passed legislation allowing businesses to sell alcohol 23 hours a day during the World Cup — from 6am to 5am — and remain open for 24 hours.
- Cities can exempt themselves or make modifications limiting hours.
Zoom in: Kansas City's ordinance extends liquor sales across the city to 3am.
- Bars and restaurants in entertainment districts — downtown, Midtown, Westport, 18th and Vine, the Plaza and the riverfront — can stay open until 5am if they first submit a safety plan.
- Currently, the standard cutoff is 1:30am with an extended 3am time for businesses in entertainment districts.
The Kansas City Police Department (KCPD) did not say whether their World Cup safety funding and staffing plans accounted for the expanded bar and restaurant hours.
- "If passed, we will evaluate and adjust our operations accordingly," officer Alayna Gonzalez tells Axios.
- Mayor Quinton Lucas at a City Council meeting Thursday thanked KCPD and the county prosecutor for addressing public safety concerns.
Between the lines: Lucas, who last week wanted to exempt the city from extended hours, loosened his stance after hearing from business owners, hospitality workers and emergency services.
- 1st District Councilmember Nathan Willett at the Thursday meeting thanked Lucas for finding a "common sense solution."
What they're saying: Sean Conroy, owner of International Tap House in the Crossroads, tells Axios they'll extend hours, but it's unlikely they'll stay open until 5am, with staffing, insurance and extra security as additional factors.
- "You have to consider risk versus reward," he says, adding that the ordinance gives them flexibility if celebrations run long.
Reality check: How likely it is that bars will get business at 4am could depend on how late the games go.
- The latest match in KC, Austria vs. Algeria on June 27, starts at 9pm. A match can last up to two hours, and factoring in traveling back from the stadium, folks could start partying at midnight.
- Matches in other cities start as late as 11pm Central, meaning watch parties will go late into the night.
- And in some countries, like Argentina, clubs don't get going until 2am.
Zoom out: Kansas also opened the door for 23-hour alcohol sales, which the city of Merriam will allow.
- In Missouri, Independence will keep sales limited to 1:30am, and Lee's Summit will extend to 3am on certain days.
What's next: The modified hours go into effect June 11-July 19.