Councilor Brian Worrell has proposed a new Home Rule Petition to permanently extend the hours during which bars and restaurants can serve alcohol to 3 a.m.

The energy of World Cup fans and the specific contributions of the ‘Tartan Army’ of Scotland fans made Boston a much livelier place for much of June. The councilor said that keeping the last call late would maintain the fun and funds the city has experienced throughout June.

“Boston is a major city. We welcome visitors year-round, and we continue to compete for major events, conventions, tourists, and young talent,” Worrell said. Often when people come here from other places … one thing they notice is our nightlife shuts down earlier.”

Boston is one of several cities and towns taking advantage of Governor Maura Healey’s opt-in pilot program, allowing liquor license holders to stay open an hour later through July 31. The act was signed on June 10, with the intention of creating more opportunities to celebrate both the World Cup and the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution through MA250.

If passed, the Council’s petition would not require businesses to entertain later hours, but would open up the possibility to do so and create a new social and economic engine for the City.

“What we’re seeing from this pilot is that it’s offering flexibility – the ability for Boston to support a wider range of establishments, events, and opportunities while still maintaining appropriate oversight,” said Councilor Ruthzee Louijeune. “As our city grows and evolves, we should be willing to examine policies that do not choose between economic and social opportunities.”

Louijeune noted that after the extended hours expire, the city will have a breadth of data to show how flexibility can coexist with public safety and responsible regulation.

“Expanding business hours will create more profit for small businesses, provide more hours for workers, and generate more revenue for the City,” said Councilor Julia Mejia. “… And maybe in next year’s budget we can have some more revenue to play with.”

Though Boston itself does not collect taxes on liquor, the Massachusetts ‘Sin Tax’ brought in $98 million on sales of alcoholic beverages.

Later hours do not directly correlate with more business, however. Former Boston Bartender’s Guild Chapter Director Frederic Yarm told WBUR that the after-midnight hours do not tend to be the most profitable, and businesses will have to weigh the cost of paying service, security, and entertainment with the volume of late-night drinkers.

Yarm said areas like the Seaport, TD Garden, and other areas with large numbers of tourists and young people would likely benefit the most.

“Having the after-party for [a] concert until 3 a.m. probably would be a good thing, if your staff knows that it’s not every day,” he said.

This comes as part of the Council’s broader effort to attract and retain young people in the city. A study conducted by the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce (GBCC) in 2024 found that 26% of residents between the ages of 20 and 30 plan on leaving Massachusetts in the next five years. Though their top reasons were access to affordable housing, healthcare, and quality jobs, more than half considered entertainment options, including nightlife and festivals, an important issue.

The home rule petition would still require approval from the State Legislature and has been sent to the Council Committee on Government Operations.

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