The advent of World Cup soccer in the United States and in Seattle in particular, have generated some interesting changes, some of them permanent, some of them only temporary.
Changes in public transit, Concession prices at Lumen Field, the way Seattle police interact with visitors, and now something we haven’t really talked about.
Public drinking laws.
A state law passed last year, (HB 1515) which enabled expansion of Alcohol service zones for the Pike Place Market and also for World Cup events looks like it now may be extended.
According to axios.com,
‘A new state law approved last year lets people roam more freely with drinks at several of Seattle’s World Cup fan celebrations, rather than being confined to smaller, roped-off beer gardens. The same law also allows restaurants to band together to provide shared, family-friendly outdoor spaces where people can drink without some of the typical restrictions, such as strict fencing and staffing requirements.’
Right now, this new law will stay in effect through 2027, with the option of the Legislature extending it, or getting rid of it.
Where is this happening?
Pike Place Market merchants are taking advantage of this law with a program that they are calling “Sip and a Saver”. The pilot program takes advantage of the new law allowing people to carry alcoholic drinks along the market’s Main St.
The program will run on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from noon to 5pm.
The Seattle Waterfront and the Seattle Center are also using expanded alcohol service zones for World Cup watch parties in a wider area during match days.
Pacific Place has also exploited this law for Its World Cup Fan Fest.
There are still some rules; the expanded drinking areas need to have a defined perimeter, and extra security plans would be necessary.
Cities and counties that take advantage of this law are encouraged to create reports to explore how this law worked or did not work, and then submit those reports to the state
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Gallery Credit: Nick Northern