February 17, 2016
Members of the Democratic Party will come to Philadelphia this summer to choose their presidential nominee -- and possibly party into the wee hours of the morning.
The Democratic National Convention Host Committee on Tuesday held a Q&A on Twitter, fielding several inquiries about the event being held from July 25 to July 28.
One of the questions came from Cuba Libre, a bar and restaurant in Old City. They wanted to know if hours for bars would be extended past 2 a.m. The committee said they were in 2000 for the Republican National Convention, and they're trying to do the same for this year's event.
A7. Hours were extended in 2000, we’re looking into doing the same. #ConventionEats
— Philadelphia 2016 (@PHLDNC2016) February 16, 2016
A spokesperson for the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce told the Philadelphia Inquirer in October that they had been checking with officials to make later hours a reality:
Because convention events wrap up late, the chamber is checking with city and state officials about whether restaurants and bars can be allowed to serve customers past the legal closing time of 2 a.m., chamber spokesman Matt Cabrey said Wednesday.
"Some restaurants may want to consider a light menu" from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. or later if that happens, Cabrey said.
Philly bars close notoriously early compared to other major cities; last year, a Philly lawmaker considered introducing legislation that would allow establishments to apply for extended-use permits to serve until 4 a.m.
State Rep. Jordan Harris never formally introduced the bill, but it looks like Philly might get a taste of extended drinking hours this summer.
