Fancy an early morning pint?
Starting Thursday, bars and restaurants in Ontario will be allowed to serve alcohol as early as 7 a.m. for the next month.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) is permitting the earlier sale and service for the duration of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which runs from July 20 to August 20. Ordinarily, bars and restaurants cannot begin serving alcohol until 9 a.m. However, as the tournament is being played in Australia and New Zealand, the time difference would leave early morning viewers in Ontario unable to enjoy a drink as they cheer on their favourite team, prompting the temporary hours extension by the AGCO.
"While temporary extensions are not normally provided for events taking place outside of the province, the Registrar recognizes that the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is an event of international significance for many communities in Ontario and is one of the most watched sporting events in the world," the AGCO said in a statement posted to its website. "In Ontario specifically, the tournament attracts a large and enthusiastic following within the province’s broad multicultural communities."
The extended hours apply to all licenced areas at licenced establishments, excluding outdoor patios.
"Whether or not an establishment decides to begin serving at 7 a.m. is an individual business decision for each liquor sales licensee," the AGCO noted.
Individual municipalities across the province can choose to opt out of the extended hours. Those that do will be listed on the commission's website. As of Wednesday afternoon, no municipalities had objected to the earlier sale.
Last call for alcohol at establishments remains unchanged at 2 a.m.
The last time a province-wide temporary extension of liquor service hours was approved was last November for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Team Canada will play its first match against Nigeria at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 on Thursday at 10:30 p.m. ET. It then plays Ireland on July 26 at 8 a.m. ET, and Australia on July 31 at 6 a.m. ET.
