Washington, D.C. bars, restaurants and breweries will be permitted to stay open for 24 hours during the 2022 FIFA World Cup after the D.C. Council passed an emergency act.
The 2022 World Cup Emergency Amendment Act of 2022, introduced by Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, will permit bars and restaurants with the appropriate licensure to sell and serve alcohol until 4:00 a.m., and operate 24 hours of the day during the World Cup later this year. In order to operate 24/7 starting on Nov. 20 until Dec. 18, when the World Cup concludes, licensed alcohol suppliers are required to enroll with the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board, which entails a $100 fee, by Nov. 17.
Jared Powell, chief of staff of the Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration (ABRA), said he believes that the emergency legislation will benefit bars and soccer fans alike.
“The Act will allow establishments to host patrons who wish to watch the month-long sporting event live since there is a seven-hour time difference between Qatar and DC,” Powell wrote to The Hoya.
According to Powell, the emergency act is subject to approval from Mayor Muriel Bowser, who is expected to approve the act after agreeing to similar legislation for the 2018 World Cup, after which the act will become law in advance of the World Cup.
Roneeka Bhagotra-Gordon, co-founder of D.C.-based British bar The Queen Vic, said World Cups are always a highlight for the establishment.
“Past World Cups have been incredibly fun and great for business — our regulars and staff always look forward to them,” Bhagotra-Gordon wrote to The Hoya. “We expect the same this year, just with earlier mornings and colder weather.”
The 2022 World Cup will be the first World Cup tournament held during the winter because of the extreme summer heat in Qatar.
The District passed similar legislation for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2018 MLB All-Star Game, both of which took place in D.C. Both events saw the approval of extended alcohol hours identical to that of the 2022 Emergency Act, according to Powell. However, limitations on the sale of alcoholic beverages will remain in place, barring service from 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
“The 4:00 a.m. end time aligns with the service end time for the Extended Holiday Hours Program,” Powell wrote. “Current DC law allows for alcohol sales and service to start at 6:00 a.m. If approved, licensees will be issued an extended hours license for the series that they must post next to their alcohol license.”
Bhagotra-Gordon said that while she was not surprised by the D.C. Council’s decision to pass this legislation, she is grateful that the legislation allows her to benefit while showing the World Cup.
As a bar founded by immigrants from the United Kingdom, The Queen Vic will open early for group stage games involving England, Wales and the United States. Once the knockout rounds begin, however, kickoffs will occur after 10 a.m., thus removing the need for the bar to be open in the early morning.
Despite the extended hours, Bhagotra-Gordon believes most District bars, including The Queen Vic, will not be open 24 hours during the World Cup. This is largely a result of the ongoing staffing shortages and a more convenient schedule in the latter stages of the tournament.
“I don’t believe many bars will stay open 24/7,” Bhagotra-Gordon wrote. “Bars are still struggling to find staff so doubling opening hours will be a huge challenge.”
Bhagotra-Gordon said the move to expand hours during the World Cup will provide soccer fans with an opportunity to congregate and watch the World Cup with friends, despite the hours at which matches will be held.
“We do believe that it will be beneficial for fans; having the opportunity to come together for these types of international events is always positive for the community,” Bhagotra-Gordon wrote.
