Boston Bar Spending Jumps 86% During World Cup as Wu Pushes 3 A.M. Last Call
Updated
Updated · Boston Herald · Aug 12
Boston Bar Spending Jumps 86% During World Cup as Wu Pushes 3 A.M. Last Call
1 articles · Updated · Boston Herald · Aug 12
Summary
$83 million in World Cup spending and $1.5 million in city tax revenue flowed into Boston from June 12-30, with downtown bar tabs rising 86% from a year earlier.
Scotland's roughly 50,000 visiting fans drove the biggest gains: downtown bar spending hit a 179% year-over-year peak on June 19, the team's final Boston group-stage match, while citywide bar spending rose 27%.
Mayor Michelle Wu is using the data to argue that temporary alcohol-rule loosening should become permanent, including 3 a.m. last call and expanded public drinking zones after 211 venues were approved for later hours.
That push faces resistance from Boston's largest police union, which says later drinking hours raise crime and violence risks, while business leaders say late-night MBTA service would be needed to make a permanent 3 a.m. close safe.