Early liquor serving hours during FIFA World Cup approved by city council

Temporary changes to legal liquor serving hours for bars and restaurants in Toronto got the green light by city council this afternoon.

During the FIFA World Cup, being held in South Africa from June 11th and July 11th, bartenders and wait staff will be allowed to tap the kegs and mix drinks earlier than normally permitted.

The motion was initiated by Deputy Mayor and mayoral candidate Joe Pantalone. Under current laws, bars are allowed to start serving booze at 11 a.m., but with games starting at 7:30 a.m., 10 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. local time, it makes sense to allow them to serve the happy juice a bit earlier -- to coincide with the 10 a.m. game kickoffs.

Happy early cheersin', Toronto.