Bars allowed to open early for World Cup soccer games
The Alberta government is raising a toast to soccer fans, allowing bars to open early during the World Cup, Finance Minister Joe Ceci announced Tuesday.
Establishments will be allowed to open 30 minutes before kickoff of 2018 FIFA World Cup soccer games and can start pouring as soon as games begin.
“This is a blanket extension of all licensees in the province for early opening hours,” he said. “We are going to ensure that licensees in this province meet the needs of World Cup soccer fans.”
The FIFA World Cup in Russia takes place Thursday to July 15, causing a time zone hiccup for fans who hope to watch a team’s path to victory, or alternatively drown their sorrows.
Moscow, one of 11 host cities across Russia, is nine hours ahead of Alberta’s time zone.
It will be up to individual licensees to decide if they want to open early.
“We’re proactive — when we know Albertans want to do these things, we come forward in this case with a blanket extension,” said Ceci, who hinted that they would look at relaxing liquor laws for the Calgary Stampede again this year.
This isn’t the first time the province has relaxed rules for bars in the province.
In 2014, bars were allowed to open early for Olympic hockey games and ever since it’s something the province has seen more often.
During last year’s Stampede, certain licensees were allowed to start liquor service at 8 a.m.
Nicola Trolez, marketing and promotions manager at the Ship and Anchor Pub on 17th Avenue S.W., where Ceci’s announcement was held, said it’s exciting to see the government relax its laws — something that benefits bars.
“People understand that it’s special, it isn’t something that happens everyday and so they show up,” she said.
“When we had the early licensing
When we know Albertans want to do these things, we come forward in this case with a blanket extension.
for the Olympic hockey games, we had people coming down just as enthusiastic. If that’s your sport, you want to watch it live.”
Jamesons Irish Pub, farther west on 17th Avenue, will also be opening early for almost every game, except for the 6 a.m. and 4 a.m. starts, said manager Nick Issac.
“The ones that are super early … and some of the games that aren’t big at 7 a.m. we aren’t opening for,” said Issac.
Despite that, he said they are excited about being able to open early and expect to be busy.
“Opening up early is awesome, especially since the World Cup only happens once every four years. I’ve been taking reservations all morning,” Issac said.
Ceci said with Italy out for this World Cup, he will be cheering on Iceland.