Hamilton City Council ask provincial regulator to approve 6 a.m. alcohol sales for Winter Olympics

If you enjoy a beverage while cheering on Team Canada at the Olympics, you may be able to do so at your local bar and restaurant in the early morning.

Hamilton city council has signed off on a motion to allow businesses to extend the start time of alcohol sales to 6 a.m.

Ward 5 Coun. Matt Francis put forward the motion, which passed 14 to 1 this afternoon during today’s council meeting.

City Hall now awaits approval from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), but some say it shouldn’t be an issue given that they’ve granted special extensions before.

The faucet beer caps at The Endzone Bar and Grill are typically removed when it’s time to serve a fresh pint during regular serving hours, but when Canada’s top athlete’s are competing at the Olympics during the early hours, Grant Koropatnicki wants his taps to keep pouring.

“We’re coming off that Super Bowl hangover, now everybody is getting into the Olympics,” Koropatnicki said.

The owner-operator of the east Hamilton establishment is making a push to open earlier and serve alcohol for nearly all the events happening at the Winter Olympics in Italy, a six hour time zone difference.

He says February is the slowest month of the year for many businesses, and with revenue streams down to pandemic level numbers, a boost could be needed especially if Canada’s men’s and women’s hockey teams are poised for a gold medal.

“The big push is for the gold medal game on the Sunday. So the gold medal, if the men’s team makes it, they’ll be playing at 8:10 a.m., Sunday morning. So, we’re looking to do a big event for that morning ‘Kegs & Eggs’,” Koropatnicki said.

The passion around the Olympic games made its way to Hamilton City Hall as Coun. Francis put forward a motion on Feb. 11 in support of bars, restaurants and cafes to open and serve alcohol as early as 6 a.m.

“This is just temporary, it’s an opt-in, it’s voluntary,” he said. “Nobody has to do this, but if some restaurants feel they will benefit from this, then they’re more than welcome to do that and have an event that supports our country.”

Francis and some of businesses have said they expect this exemption or extension of service based on the fact a precedent has been set from previous events. He said the City of Toronto was granted authorization to extend their hours of alcohol service. Now Hamilton awaits for approval by the AGCOto approve the municipal application.

During today’s council meeting, Coun. Craig Cassar asked how quickly special permits for alcohol sales be granted to businesses with just a week and a half left of the Winter Olympic games.

City staff said they understand some establishments have already made inquiries to do so prior to today’s vote. Francis believes the AGCO will grant approval quickly.

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