Overview
- Councilor Brian Worrell filed a home-rule petition on Wednesday seeking to make Boston’s temporary 3 a.m. last call permanent and asked officials to gather stakeholders to assess the plan.
- The push follows a state bill signed in early June that temporarily allowed up to 3 a.m. service only through July 31 as a pilot that requires municipalities to opt in and a state report on outcomes.
- Boston has opted into the pilot and roughly 200 bars and restaurants have been approved so far to stay open until 3 a.m., generating heavy World Cup sales and crowded public-consumption zones.
- Opponents including the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association warn the later hours will raise risks of alcohol-related crime and strain police, transit and emergency services, and workers have raised scheduling and safety concerns.
- If the City Council advances Worrell’s measure it would still need a Beacon Hill vote to change state law and the executive office must deliver a report on participation, revenue and safety by Dec. 31, 2026.