Healey Wants to Permanently Change Mass. Bar Hours to Fix ‘Boring’ Reputation

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey is proposing to make extended bar hours permanent to help the Bay State overcome its reputation for being "boring."

From World Cup Pilot to Permanent 3 A.M. Closing Time

Healey hopped on board Fall River State Representative Carole Fiola's proposal last spring to temporarily extend closing time to 3 a.m. to give visiting World Cup fans more time to party hearty. With the pilot program about to expire, Healey is all about keeping the party going forever by making the later closing time permanent.

State House News Service (SHNS) reported, "The law allowed bars to extend last call an hour beyond their license limit, until 3 a.m. at the latest, and allow for public alcohol consumption 'districts' through July 31. Both required individual municipalities to opt in before the measures could take effect."

Healey: More Drinking Would Make Massachusetts Less

Local Responses: How Fall River and New Bedford Handled the Change

New Bedford decided not to participate in the experiment, while Fall River adopted only the extended closing hours.

READ MORE: Fall River Bars Adopt 3 a.m. Closing Time

When Healey saw the visiting Scottish Tartan Army drain Boston's beer supplies dry, she apparently saw an opportunity to generate additional tax revenue for the state.

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Healey told WEEI Sports Radio, "I used the World Cup as an experience, as an opportunity to say we should extend the bar hours, which we did, and I was glad to see that, so I'd like that to continue."

The Push to Revive Banned Happy Hour Drink Specials

As we reported in June, Healey is all in on once again allowing drinking establishments to offer "happy hour" drink specials as a way to bring "more vibrancy" to Massachusetts.

READ MORE: Why Healey Suddenly Wants to Bring Happy Hour Back to MA

Happy hours were banned in Massachusetts in 1984 due to an increase in drunk driving cases and hard lobbying by groups such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Healey believes that a revival of happy hour drink specials might help reverse the exodus of young people from Massachusetts.