Harvard Square Bars Embrace 3 A.M. Hours, To-Go Drinks Under July 31 Pilot
Updated
Updated · Harvard Crimson · Jun 17
Harvard Square Bars Embrace 3 A.M. Hours, To-Go Drinks Under July 31 Pilot
3 articles · Updated · Harvard Crimson · Jun 17
Summary
Cambridge businesses in Harvard Square are rapidly signing onto a summer pilot that lets approved venues sell to-go alcohol in public drinking zones and, for some, stay open until 3 a.m.
June 8 state legislation enabled the program, which runs through July 31; to-go drinks are allowed from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with last sales at 10:45 p.m., in Harvard Square and five other districts.
Several owners said the changes could lift a normally slower season, with Patrick Lee applying across three restaurants and Wusong Road planning to join the to-go program even without seeking 3 a.m. service.
Some operators are moving more cautiously: Felipe's Taqueria is weighing staff-safety protocols before extending hours, and Shay's Pub raised concerns about enforcement once drinks leave the designated zones.
City officials are pitching the pilot as a way to support small businesses and make Cambridge more competitive for young workers ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and U.S. 250th anniversary celebrations.