Boston announces revolutionary drink-in-public zones
By adamg on Thu., 6/18/2026 - 5:52 pm
Thanks, World Cup: Mayor Wu today announced two public zones downtown where you'll be able to get your drink on as you walk around on the sidewalk without worrying about getting yelled at by a cop and ordered to pour your drink into the nearest storm sewer.
The designated "social districts" will be available starting tomorrow and running through July 31 along the historic Blackstone block at Union and Marshall streets, between Faneuil Hall and the Boston Public Market, and along Temple Place between Washington and Tremont streets in Downtown Crossing.
The zones "will help us open our streets in a safe environment for residents and visitors to enjoy themselves, 'sip and stroll', and make lasting memories in our beautiful city," Wu said, adding they will be coupled with bars and restaurants being allowed to stay open an hour later than normal - until 3 a.m. for places that normally have to close at 2.
The temporary easing on public and early morning drinking comes because of a law signed by Gov. Healey to accommodate all the people flooding into the state for World Cup matches at Gillette from places that take a more relaxed approach to public drinking than Massachusetts. The law returns us to our staider ways at the end of July.
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Comments
Human sacrifice!
By Sator
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 7:06pm
Dogs and cats living together...
MASS HYSTERIA!
23 users have voted.
Never thought I'd live to see the day
By tachometer
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 7:11pm
I've experienced the "Go cup" in places like New Orleans, but it always seemed like a fantasy for Boston.
20 users have voted.
This is amazing
By Anonymous
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 7:19pm
I can't wait until she implements the same thing in Southie for the week leading up to Saint Patrick's Day, or Dot Ave for Dorchester Day weekend. Oh don't forget Jouvert, there's never any trouble with that. The residents of Mattapan will be right on board.
19 users have voted.
None of this is a good idea
By Anonymous
Thu, 06/18/2026 - 9:12pm
You nailed it. I don't get all this kowtowing to tourists and blow-ins. Reminds me of the snowpocalypse year of 2015 when Marty Walsh magically cleaned Boylston Street of snow in the blink of an eye for the Patriots Parade which attracts tourists and suburbanites, while those of us in the neighborhoods had to wait weeks for even basic snow clearing services from the city.
And now allowing people to walk the streets, excuse me, "social districts", with open vessels of alcohol. A terrible idea in the first place, but even so, the sidewalks are rolled up again and the open containers of alcohol evaporate as soon as these blow-ins depart. It's like the city exists just to put on a show for these people. Let's hope it doesn't blow up in everybody's face. That Union Street area already has its share of trouble with those bars even without this loosening of rules. And that's not even mentioning the type of street people that populate the Temple Place/Boylston Street/DTX axis.
18 users have voted.
Yep.
By Nha Trang
Fri, 06/19/2026 - 7:44am
I have never, in all my life, understood the notion that it is impossible to have a good time -- and it's insulting to make the suggestion otherwise -- without alcohol in one's hand. What's next, tolerance for street brawls between bands of ultras? A
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