[Source via Boston Herald By Lance Reynolds]
At least one Massachusetts city has decided to not allow bars to close at 3 a.m. during the World Cup and other summer events, an opportunity that Boston is giddy over.
Local officials across the Bay State are deciding whether to extend liquor licenses at restaurants and bars in their communities after Gov. Maura Healey granted the 3 a.m. cutoff at the last minute.
Restaurateurs and bartenders in Revere will maintain their regular last call, with Mayor Patrick Keefe declaring that his city won’t support measures to expand licensing over the next six weeks of World Cup activities.
“This notice does not allow the City of Revere the appropriate time to properly coordinate the licensing and public safety measures we would need to make this a success,” Keefe said in a statement on Wednesday.
The mayor added that he understands the interest in “exploring extended hours for liquor licenses and social consumption zones. To his “knowledge,” though, the city had yet to receive “any formal requests.”
“We take pride in an organized approach to issuing licenses and recognize the fine balance between allowing businesses to operate and prosper,” Keefe said, “while still providing appropriate public safety, and following state and local guidelines.”
Officials in neighboring Boston are excited about the temporary flexibility, describing the extended last call as an economic boon, not just during the World Cup but also other high-level summer events.
City businesses licensed to sell alcohol until 2 a.m. will be allowed to extend service until 3 a.m. Those with earlier closing times can close an hour later than typical. All establishments must apply through the city’s Licensing Board.
Licensing Board Chairwoman Katherine Joyce is the only official who explicitly mentioned safety in a press release about the extended business hours, which will run through the end of July.
“I look forward to reviewing applications and supporting businesses as they showcase the vibrancy of Boston’s neighborhoods,” Joyce said in a statement. “We expect all licensees to assist us in making this a successful summer by operating responsibly and prioritizing the safety and well-being of our residents and visitors.”
Also, under the bill Healey signed, cities and towns can create designated social districts for public alcohol consumption. Boston will be sharing details at a later date.
“We’re eager for Boston’s small businesses to share in the economic opportunities created by this summer’s special events,” Mayor Michelle Wu said, “building on our recent progress expanding nightlife and late-hour activity.”
The FIFA World Cup fan festival is set to open at Boston City Hall Plaza on Friday, running through June 27 and featuring live match broadcasts, local food vendors and cultural showcases.
Somerville and Cambridge are among the cities extending liquor licenses to 3 a.m. for approved businesses. The latter has also selected designated districts for public consumption – Central Square, Kendall Square, Harvard Square, to name a few.
Businesses looking for the opportunity in Newton will have to go before the city’s Licensing Board, as well. In Brookline, the Select Board, acting as the local licensing authority, is set to discuss and possibly vote on Tuesday on the liquor licenses until 3 a.m.
Foxboro did not immediately respond to a Herald request for comment on the status of liquor licenses in the suburban town that is welcoming the world of soccer to watch the games live at Gillette Stadium, rebranded as “Boston Stadium.”
Local soccer enthusiasts will be converging with fans from England, France, Ghana, Haiti, Iraq, Morocco, Norway and Scotland, as Boston Stadium is set to host seven matches, starting Saturday and lasting through July 9.
The World Cup is considered a SEAR 1 event, the highest risk level for public gatherings in the country. Saturday’s Scotland-Haiti match is set to kick off at 9 p.m., the latest start time. The others will begin between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.
A pair of restaurateurs in the Foxboro-area told the Herald that they will maintain regular hours, even if their towns extend last call to 3 a.m.
Neil Levine, owner of Maguire’s Bar & Grill on Route 106 in Easton, called the idea “terrible.”
“Nothing good will come from that,” he said. “It’s bad for the employees. It’s bad for public safety.”
Mark McAuliffe, owner of Tessie’s Bar & Kitchen in Walpole, told the Herald, “Nothing good happens after midnight!”
“I think it’s past my staff’s bedtime,” he said in a comment on a local Facebook community page. “We will keep normal hours.”
Mothers Against Drunk Driving of Massachusetts is concerned about dangerous discrepancies that could arise.
“This uniform time helps prevent barhopping to find one last drink at establishments with later closing times,” Program Director Mary Kate DePamphilis said in a statement. “Far too often, the search for ‘one last drink’ results in drunk driving. Establishments across the Commonwealth must all have the same last call time.”
