The Olympic rings ahead of the Milan Cortina Winter Games, in Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy.Fatima Shbair/The Associated Press
Torontonians will be able to enjoy a pint as early as 6 a.m. for most of February after city council approved a plan to extend the hours of alcohol sales during the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
The plan was greenlit without debate on Wednesday after Mayor Olivia Chow proposed a motion to “allow the public and local cafes and restaurants to enjoy and benefit” from the Winter Games in Italy.
Because of the time difference between Toronto and Italy, some Olympic events will start at 6 a.m., and some residents may want to go to local businesses early to watch, according to Chow’s motion.
Under normal rules, licensed businesses can sell and serve alcohol between 9 a.m. and 2 a.m., with the exception of New Year’s Eve when the period is extended to 3 a.m.
The plan approved Wednesday will allow businesses to start serving alcohol at 6 a.m. from Feb. 5 to 22.
The city has previously loosened alcohol sale hours for sporting events including during the Olympic Games in 2014 and 2018.
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Nick Ndreka is one Toronto bar owner who was hopeful the city would extend alcohol sales. He said it would help boost sales at his bar, Crafty Coyote, at a time when many in the hospitality business are feeling the pinch.
Ndreka plans to open early every day of the Winter Games to accommodate sports lovers. Being able to serve alcohol during early morning events would generate “much-needed” sales, he said.
“There are sports lovers that, no matter what, nothing stops them from coming out and having a pint and sitting in front of the TV to watch the game,” Ndreka said.
The Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association also expressed its support for the plan as the hospitality sector “continues to face significant financial pressure.”
The association wrote in a letter to city council that extending alcohol sales would boost restaurant revenue, support jobs and provide “welcoming spaces for residents and visitors cheering on Team Canada.”
A Restaurant Canada report published last September found that three in four Canadians are eating out less, often because of the high cost of living.
The report also showed 41 per cent of food service businesses were operating at a loss or breaking even as of June 2025 as restaurants grapple with reduced consumer spending and high costs of food, labour and other expenses.