Atlanta mayor issues order allowing bars to stay open late after Super Bowl

Fans of the Atlanta Falcons in their hometown will either have plenty of time to celebrate a Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots, or drown their sorrows after the game.

Mayor Kasim Reed signed an executive order permitting bars in Atlanta to remain open until 2:30 a.m. on Sunday night/Monday morning (via Eater Atlanta):

https://twitter.com/KasimReed/status/827525649539665921

“Whereas, the Mayor, in celebration of the Atlanta Falcons NFC Championship win; and in recognition of the desire of the citizens of and visitors to the City of Atlanta to celebrate the Falcons participation in Super Bowl LI, hereby suspends enforcement of the current allowable hours of operation at certain locations licensed for the sale of alcohol for on premises consumption on Super Bowl Sunday so as to accommodate the festive nature of this day.”

A Senate committee heard a bill Tuesday to allow bars and restaurants in Hennepin and Ramsey counties to stay open two hours later than usual — until 4 a.m. for the late night partiers — on Super Bowl weekend. U.S. Bank Stadium is set to host the Super Bowl on Feb. 4, 2018. If passed, the extension would apply starting that Friday through Monday morning.

Sen. Karin Housley said her legislation is hardly different from past drinking-hour extensions granted for the 2008 Republican National Convention and the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.