Ottawa bars and restaurants can sell alcohol at 6 a.m. Sunday for Canada’s gold medal game

Crowds in Ottawa were on the edges of their seats as Canada’s men’s hockey team fought to qualify for the gold medal game. CTV’s Josh Marano reports.

Hockey fans will be able to enjoy a beer or mimosa at all bars and restaurants in Ottawa and across Ontario while watching the men’s hockey gold medal game at the Milano Cortina Winter Games Sunday morning.

Canada will play in the gold medal game at 8 a.m. on Sunday, the final medal event at the Winter Games.

• Doug Ford approves 6 a.m. alcohol sales in Ontario for Team Canada gold medal game

While bars and restaurants in Ottawa and across Ontario are allowed to serve alcohol beginning at 9 a.m., Premier Doug Ford announced all restaurants can serve alcohol beginning at 6 a.m. on Sunday.

“The entire country will be watching on Sunday morning as our men’s hockey team plays for Olympic gold,” Ford said on X.

“To help us all celebrate Team Canada, the province will be allowing bars and restaurants across the province to sell alcohol starting at 6:00 a.m. Let’s all come together, support local businesses and cheer on Team Canada!”

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) previously told CTV News Ottawa the City of Ottawa designated the men’s gold medal hockey game on Sunday as an “Event of Municipal Significance,” and establishments could apply for an extended liquor licence.

Under the plan, Ottawa’s Bylaw Services has the authority to issue “letters of municipal significance” to establishments holding a valid liquor licence, allowing a “one-time temporary extension of liquor service hours.” Final approval is granted through the AGCO.

The AGCO told CTV News Ottawa it had approved an extension of hours to open and service alcohol at 8 a.m. for three establishments in Ottawa.

• Lowertown Brew Pub on York Street
• Pubblico Eatery on Wellington Street West
• Boston Pizza Barrhaven on Greenbank Road

“The extended hours only apply to indoor licensed areas, and the establishments still have to comply with the requirements of the Liquor License and Control Act,” the AGCO said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa.

“The establishments’ usual closing time for a Sunday will remain unchanged.”

The Lowertown Brew Pub told CTV News Ottawa it will be open at 8 a.m. for the gold medal game on Sunday, and it plans to open its patio.

Hometown Sports Grill on Bank Street told Newstalk 580 CFRA it will be opening early for Sunday’s game.

Toronto has allowed bars, pubs and cafes to start selling alcohol at 6 a.m. during the Winter Games. Council in Windsor designated the games an event of municipal significance, allowing the AGCO to approve a temporary extension of liquor service hours at all establishments during the games.

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