PAWTUCKET – Some City Council members said they were initially 100 percent opposed to any extension of closing hours for bars beyond 1 a.m. during FIFA World Cup games, but ended up reaching a compromise last week.
At the June 10 meeting of the council’s Board of License Commissioners, councilors acknowledged that there is a middle ground to be had between standard closing times and the 4 a.m. allowance the state approved and put in communities’ hands for final word.
Council President Terry Mercer said he initially couldn’t think of why he would ever approve later closing times, knowing some of the issues the city has had in this area, but the more he looked into it, he realized that it doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Councilor Mark Wildenhain thanked Mercer and Councilor Mike Araujo for their work on the issue, noting the difficulties of the city having limited police resources strained late at night and not wanting officers to have to worry about situations until 4 a.m. That said, Wildenhain noted, giving people the opportunity to operate for a few hours longer and take advantage of this major weeks-long soccer tournament in the U.S. does make sense, with precautions.
Araujo said not a lot of great things happen after 1 a.m., and emotionally speaking, he doesn’t like expanding hours, but there’s a balance to be found here. For five total games happening at 11 p.m. or later, he said, he could see a 2 a.m. closing for the 11 p.m. games, and 2:30 a.m. for the lone midnight game. Last call for alcohol would be at 1:45 a.m.
The council ended up approving later hours for 10 establishments on June 18, 20 (midnight start), and 22, and they’ll then reconvene on June 24 to see how things went and consider remaining dates for late watch party games of June 26 and July 2. Applications for late hours on dates with earlier start times for games were denied.
Araujo agreed on the topic of strained public safety resources. He said eight or so cruisers are on at night, and if there’s an issue at one establishment, a lot of resources are taken up at that location.
Councilors said people who purchase homes near these establishments expect a certain level of guardrails.
Councilor Yesenia Rubio said she appreciates the concerns, but reminded colleagues that this is a uniquely special circumstance with the World Cup. The hospitality industry is struggling, she said, and any little bit of revenue can go toward paying a server or another expense. Responding to her urging, Mercer and the rest of the council agreed not to deny the later dates but to get through the first three and revisit the matter on June 24. There is no need for businesses to reapply if they haven’t already.
Councilors acknowledged Rubio’s point that it will be tough to promote an event on June 26 when a meeting to consider that opening is June 24, but the July 2 one will give more time for that.
Restaurants and bars seeking a temporary expansion of hours at the June 2 meeting included:
- 327 Lounge, 327 Barton St.
- Cantinho Restaurant, 82 Pawtucket Ave.
- El Gran Jaguar Restaurant and Lounge, 139 Broad Street.
- Fire Cantina Grill, 176 Columbus Ave.
- High Motor Grille, 342 East Ave.
- Jayar1 Sports Lounge and The West Wing, 250 Main St.
- Mangos Hookah Lounge, 17 Exchange St.
- Mimi’s Lounge, 590 Pawtucket Ave.
- Picos Restaurant and Hookah Lounge, 110 School St.
- Punto Final Hookah Bar and Lounge, 31 Summer St.
