In late March, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a bill allowing Philadelphia restaurant and bar owners to stay open until 4 a.m. for a portion of this summer, as opposed to the typical 2 a.m. curfew.
This curfew would last between June 11 to July 20, as hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected while FIFA World Cup 2026 and several other events will be in town.
While some owners and operators are in favor of the extended curfew, others are against it, writes Emma Dooling for the Philadelphia Business Journal.
Some business owners and operators are of the notion that the extra two hours will help boost business and create a more welcoming environment for visitors. The latter point would be especially true for those who may be visiting from Europe, where late night dinners are commonplace.
“We’re going to have such an influx of Europeans, we might as well give them a taste of what they’re used to,” restaurateur Teddy Sourias, founder of Craft Concepts Group, said.
The owner of a smaller hospitality group like Buena Vista Mexican Restaurant also believes the extra hours will increase foot traffic and revenue.
However, McGillin’s owner Christopher Mullins Jr. believes the extra hours would also lead to strains on city police, cleanup crews, and his own staff.
Read more about the reactions behind Philly’s temporary extended curfew in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
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