Dozens of DC bars, restaurants allowed to serve alcohol starting at 7 am during FIFA World Cup
WASHINGTON - As the 2018 FIFA World Cup has finally kicked off, dozens of D.C. bars have been given approval to extend its hours for alcohol sales to help cater to soccer fans looking to watch the matches.
Last month, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser approved an emergency bill that would allow bars, taverns, restaurants, hotels, nightclubs and other eligible businesses to apply for temporary licenses permitting the sale, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages starting at 7 a.m. every day during the major soccer tournament.
The District's Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA) has approved licenses for 75 different locations in D.C. and the extended hours will be allowed from June 14 to July 15. (App users: Click here to see the full list of locations)
The nation's capital is one of the passionate areas in the United States where soccer fans reside. Back in 2014, the D.C. region had the most people watching the FIFA World Cup than any other market in the country.
The emergency bill passed by Bowser will also allow businesses to register with ABRA to extend alcohol sales until 4 a.m. and to also operate 24 hours a day from July 14 to July 18 for Major League Baseball All-Star Game events. The 2018 All-Star Game will be held on July 17 at Nationals Park.
And a little reminder - the 2018 FIFA World Cup begins June 14 on FOX.