Philadelphia bars to stay open until 4 a.m. during World Cup, America 250
Gov. Shapiro to sign bill allowing bars open until 4 a.m. for World Cup in Philly
A new bill, supported by Gov. Shapiro, will allow bars, restaurants and nightlife venues to extend their hours by up to two hours, meaning some could stay open until 4:00 a.m. "When it hits my desk I’ll sign it into law," said Shapiro.
PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia bars will be open until 4 a.m. this summer, during the FIFA World Cup and the city's America 250 celebrations, after Governor Josh Shapiro signed a bill into law on Friday.
Philadelphia's 4 a.m. bar bill
The backstory:
Currently, bars in Pennsylvania are not allowed to sell alcohol after 2 a.m.
Senate Bill 1218 which is now a law, extends that deadline temporarily, only during Philadelphia's America 250 celebrations and the upcoming FIFA World Cup, and apply only to businesses within city limits.
What we know:
The bill passed the State Senate last week, and on Wednesday, passed the State House by a 176-23 vote.
The bill then went to Gov. Josh Shapiro's desk where he signed it into law effective Friday, March 27.
The law amends the state's liquor code to let businesses apply for a temporary permit to extend their hours. That permit would only be valid between June 11, 2026, and July 20, 2026.
The World Cup begins on June 11. Philadelphia's first of six matches is just days later, on June 14.
RELATED: FIFA World Cup schedule: When are matches in Philadelphia?
Businesses hoping to stay open later this summer will have to pay a $500 application fee, and submit the application at least 30 days before the day it would take effect.
Fan zones and extended hours planned for World Cup celebrations
Dig deeper:
Gov. Josh Shapiro announced Thursday that Pennsylvania will have three official World Cup fan zones in Reading, Pittsburgh and Scranton.
These will complement the FIFA Fan Festival at Lemon Hill Park in Philadelphia.
The state is expecting fans from across the country and around the world to visit Philadelphia for the World Cup and America’s 250th birthday.
A new bill, allows bars, restaurants and nightlife venues to extend their hours by up to two hours, meaning some could stay open until 4:00 a.m.
"When it hits my desk I’ll sign it into law," said Shapiro on Thursday. The "America 250 Permit" will have a $500 application fee and is meant for businesses in good standing, according to state lawmakers.
Business owners and fans react to later closing times
The extended hours are designed to let fans watch matches that may air in the early morning and to boost business for local bars and restaurants.
Teddy Sourias, owner of Craft Concepts Group, said, "It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for us to be able to show sports for a soccer event for people all over the world."
Sourias said his restaurants and bars, including BRU and Tradesman’s, plan to apply for the permit.
"If a game is going later, we don’t have to kick everybody out, which is going to be like the hardest thing to do. How do you tell someone who’s watching their home team? Sorry you gotta leave you know. So we absolutely welcome that," said Sourias.
Some business owners are choosing not to extend their hours. Christopher Mullins, co-owner of McGillin’s Old Ale House, said, "Absolutely not nothing good happens after midnight. We will stay open till 2 o’clock. Pigs get fat hogs get slaughtered if they haven’t had enough to drink by 2 o’clock I wouldn’t want to be here."
The Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association supports the extended hours, with Ben Fileccia saying, "We know there is going to be half 1 million people here who are going to be enjoying Philadelphia who are going to be enjoying FIFA in the World Cup... we know that people are still going to be drinking anyway during the World Cup, we just want to make sure that they’re doing it safely and in licensed establishments."
Fans are excited for the opportunity to celebrate in Philadelphia.
"USA soccer all the way USA USA USA," said Michael D’Angelo of Moorestown, New Jersey. He added, "Obviously you want people to be safe use Uber use Lyft make sure people are doing it responsibly but to give more business to these wonderful bars in Philadelphia great sports city give fans the passionate fans the ability to stay out and enjoy. I think that’s a great thing."
Many are looking forward to sharing Philadelphia’s energy with visitors.
"Since we’re showcasing Philadelphia to the world to soccer fans worldwide we need to put on a good show and we need to keep it open as late as we can show them what Philly is all about," said Jack Cane of Fairmount.
The Source: Information in this story is from the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania State Police and previous FOX 29 reporting.