Washington state may loosen beer garden rules for World Cup
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Washington state could allow fans to drink outdoors beyond traditional beer gardens during next year's World Cup, including at a major celebration planned at Seattle Center.
Why it matters: "Sip and stroll" legislation advancing in Olympia would allow attendees to carry alcohol from place to place during events rather than confining drinking to limited areas.
Catch up quick: Seattle is hosting six World Cup matches next June and July, while nine other Washington cities have been named as designated fan zones.
Zoom in: House Bill 1515 would let those cities expand alcohol service during their World Cup bashes, letting fans roam more freely with a beer or glass of wine in hand.
- Events would still have to have a controlled outer perimeter, so people couldn't legally take open containers of booze all over the city.
State of play: The state Senate passed the measure this week after making minor amendments, sending the bill back to the state House for final approval.
What they're saying: "Restricting alcohol to fenced beer gardens often creates bottlenecks, crowding and rushed consumption, increasing risks rather than preventing them," Samir Junejo, Seattle's director of state relations, said during a public hearing on House Bill 1515 earlier this month.
- Junejo called the legislation "vital" for Seattle and other cities as they "get ready to accommodate large crowds from across the world."
The big picture: The legislation would also relax alcohol rules for a limited number of non-World Cup events at Seattle Center and the civic campus in Spokane through December 2027.
- And it would give restaurants more flexibility to serve drinks in shared public areas over the same period.
- State Rep. Julia Reed (D-Seattle), the bill's sponsor, told Axios those 2027 sunset clauses would let officials evaluate whether safety issues arose before deciding whether to consider loosening alcohol rules permanently.
The other side: State Sen. Paul Harris (R-Vancouver), who voted no on the legislation, said he likes to be able to attend public events with his family without having to walk through areas where alcohol is served.
- "I love soccer, I love football — but the one thing this state does not lack is access to alcohol," Harris said on the Senate floor this month.
What's next: The state House must approve the changes made by the Senate before the bill can head to Gov. Bob Ferguson's desk.
- The legislative session is slated to end April 27.