Select Board rejects option to serve alcohol until 3 a.m. for World Cup fans

The Select Board declined to participate in a statewide effort to allow bars and restaurants to serve alcohol until 3 a.m. for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a 2-3 vote on Tuesday, June 16.

The vote separates Wareham from several Massachusetts municipalities that have opted into a state policy allowing bars and restaurants to serve alcohol until 3 a.m. Under a law signed by Gov. Maura Healey, towns have the choice opt in to allowing restaurants to continue serving alcohol until 3 a.m. through July 31 as the state hosts World Cup matches this summer. 

Usually, the state sets the mandated latest time a restaurant or bar can serve alcohol at 2 a.m., but Wareham does not have many restaurants open past midnight. 

Among the town's latest closers are The Fan Club, a sports bar in East Wareham that is regularly open to 1 a.m. and The Pour Farm Tavern on Main Street, which closes at 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 

"I don't think it's going to affect any business to not be serving alcohol until three," Select Board member Marcus Gomes said. 

Members Judith Whiteside, Jared Chadwick and Sarah Corbitt voted against letting restaurants serve alcohol until 3 a.m. Both Joseph Still and Marcus Gomes both voted in favor, despite Gomes' comments about the policy not impacting Wareham businesses. 

Multiple Select Board members criticized how later closing times would work in Wareham. 

"The only instances that we've had in terms of problems with people who are impaired have occurred after midnight," Select Board member Judith Whiteside said. "I just don't think this is a good idea."

Chadwick shared Whiteside's perspective. 

"Mother always says nothing good happens after midnight," he said. 

Still, who voted in favor, said that the policy is optional, meaning businesses would be getting the choice to stay open until 3 a.m., not being required to. 

"But if we adopt this, then they can," Whiteside said. "And I don't want to adopt this." 

Whiteside said she spoke to Wareham Police Chief Walter Correia and two liquor license holders. She said that Correia told her the Wareham Police Department does not have the staff to cover additional alcohol service hours. She added that one of the liquor licensees pointed out if a bar or restaurant stayed open until 3 a.m., employees might have to stay until 4 a.m. to close up.

"That's just inappropriate," Whiteside said.