(This story has been updated with additional information.)
WORCESTER – Taking advantage of the temporary extension of last call hours, a handful of bars served alcohol until 3 a.m. the weekend of June 12-14. But there was a catch.
The extension did not apply to establishments’ entertainment licenses, meaning all televisions, music and bar games had to cease at 2 a.m.
The License Commission will vote on temporarily prolonging entertainment licenses at a meeting Thursday, June 18. The vote on extending last call hours until July 31 took place June 11.
“This was an oversight and miscommunication from the License Commission. The vote Thursday will correct it and will allow non-live entertainment,” said city spokesperson Tom Matthews.
The weeklong discrepancy caused confusion, as patrons continued to mingle about in the city’s bars and clubs for an additional hour this weekend, absent of all the typical pastimes.
“Maybe everyone can get together and sing to each other or hold hands and kumbaya to keep us all entertained,” wrote Stacey Blanchette, the owner of Dirt McGirt’s, on Facebook.
Blanchette told the T&G that Worcester police officers stopped by at the Main Street bar around 11 p.m. to inform her of the stipulation.
She said the License Commission had previously told her over email that entertainment was approved until 3 a.m., but the three-member body later said that was a mistake.
“Either way, I would have expected this to be voted on at the same time, because otherwise, what’s the point?” said Blanchette, who spoke at the June 11 meeting in support of extending last call hours.
At the bar 1885 on Green St., the lights were turned on and televisions and music were turned off promptly at 2 a.m. on Sunday, June 14. Patrons, dancing and singing along to music just moments prior, looked around at their now well-lit counterparts, confused.
While bartenders were quick to clarify that the bar was not closing for another hour and that patrons could continue to order drinks, many people began to shuffle out.
The Massachusetts bill allowing the temporary prolonging of last call hours was intended to allow communities to celebrate FIFA World Cup festivities and events associated with the 250th anniversary of American independence.
Three World Cup matches were scheduled to start at midnight, beginning with the one between Australia and Turkey early Sunday, June 13, and continuing with Austria vs. Jordan on Wednesday, June 17 – matches that could continue beyond 2 a.m.
Without an hour-extension of the entertainment license, bars would have to shut off any World Cup coverage at 2 a.m.
The License Commission typically meets every two weeks but a special meeting was called this week to approve a one-day liquor license for the June 23 World Cup watch party on the Worcester Common, according to a city spokesperson.
The entertainment license vote was later added to the agenda.
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