Philadelphia – The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) approved more than a third of applications – the most it could approve under the law – received from licensees in Philadelphia to extend their hours until 4:00 A.M. during the FIFA World Cup, America 250 birthday celebrations, and Major League Baseball All-Star Game – all of which are happening in the City of Brotherly Love over the next several weeks.
As of Thursday, the PLCB approved 24 out of 65 applications received for Philadelphia 250 permits, which extend “last call” for eligible licensees by two hours. More permits will be approved on a rolling basis as allowed by law.
Philadelphia 250 permits were authorized by the legislature and Governor Shapiro when they passed and signed Act 8 of 2026. Under this law, restaurant, hotel, retail dispenser, brewery, distillery, limited distillery, and limited winery licensees located in a city of the first class (Philadelphia) may apply for a Philadelphia 250 permit, which is valid from June 11 through July 20. Since the law was signed on March 27, the PLCB worked to create the application and approval process from scratch to enable licensees to take advantage of this opportunity.
The PLCB began issuing approvals for Philadelphia 250 permits Wednesday, June 10. Seventeen licensees who met the requirements were granted permits in Wednesday’s round of approvals. On Thursday, seven more licensees were granted permits based on when they filed their applications.
The name and address of licensees receiving (and applying for) a Philadelphia 250 permit is posted on the PLCB's website.
In an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, the PLCB’s process was praised by a licensee whose four establishments received their permits Wednesday; the business owner said the process “couldn’t have gone better than it had,” noting “the city and the state did an excellent job to make this happen.”
Under the law, an application for the Philadelphia 250 permit must be filed with the PLCB no less than 30 days prior to the date on which the applicant intends to operate under the permit. A licensee who wishes to use the permit for the entire period had to submit an application with the PLCB no later than May 11. This 30-day hold is mandated by law, and the PLCB has no discretion to approve or issue these permits before that 30-day period ends. The PLCB did not begin issuing approvals prior to June 10 in order to avoid confusing licensees, limit the possibility that any licensee would try to extend their operating hours prior to June 11, and allow for the coordination of enforcement resources by the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement and the Philadelphia Police Department.
To apply for a permit, the applicant must include confirmation that the licensee completed Philadelphia’s current Liberty Bell Safe Certification, a specialized program offered by the City of Philadelphia to provide training for nighttime safety for patrons and employees. A licensee must be certified in the PLCB’s Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP) in order to qualify for Philadelphia’s Liberty Bell Safe Certification.
The applicant had to post a notice of the application for a permit in a conspicuous place visible to the public for at least 30 days on the outside of the premises where the permit is to be used. This posting requirement was intended to coincide with the city’s right to protest these applications by putting impacted community members on notice and affording them the opportunity to voice concerns to the city prior to the issuance of the permits by the PLCB. Several high-ranking PLCB officials hand-delivered blank notice placard – specifically created for the Philadelphia 250 permits – to city officials well before the Liberty Bell Safe Certification trainings were offered so that they could be distributed to licensees immediately upon completion of those trainings.
The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores statewide, and licenses more than 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. For more information about the PLCB, visit pa.gov/lcb.
Fine Wine & Good Spirits is Pennsylvania’s go-to destination for wine, spirits, and ready-to-drink cocktails, as well as in-store tastings and events. With more than 560 stores, 13 licensee service centers and a robust online shopping experience at FWGS.com, Fine Wine & Good Spirits offers a wide selection of products for customers to discover new favorites, find trusted classics, and explore exclusive, limited-release selections. Fine Wine & Good Spirits and the PLCB contribute to the state’s economy by returning taxes and profits – nearly $23.5 billion since the agency’s inception – to Pennsylvania’s General Fund, financing Pennsylvania’s schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety and community initiatives. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state.
Every purchase made at a Fine Wine & Good Spirits store or at FWGS.com helps strengthen Pennsylvania, supporting nearly 6,000 employees and more than 2,500 communities across the commonwealth.
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