Toronto considering 6 a.m. alcohol sales to boost pub visits during Winter Olympics
Global News
Italy will officially host the Winter Olympics between Feb. 6 and Feb. 22, with curling beginning Wednesday ahead of the official games.
Bars, pubs and cafes in Toronto could be allowed to start selling alcohol from 6 a.m. for the next few weeks as council looks to capitalize on the Winter Olympics hype.
Italy will officially host the Winter Olympics between Feb. 6 and Feb. 22, with curling beginning Wednesday ahead of the official games.
Under normal rules, licensed businesses can sell and serve alcohol between 9 a.m. and 2 a.m., with the exception of New Year’s Eve when the period is extended to 3 a.m.
The city has previously loosened alcohol sale hours for sporting events, including during the Olympic Games in 2014 and 2018.
The six-hour time difference between Italy and Canada means many of the events will take place during the morning in Toronto before bars are generally allowed to sell booze.
A report tabled by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow for Wednesday’s council meeting could change that, moving alcohol sales to begin at 6 a.m. for most of February.
“People will want to patronize local cafes and restaurants earlier than standard operating hours,” the mayor’s report argues. “For restaurants who wish to open and serve customers, the City should do everything we can to support these local businesses.”
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