Cranston Safety Services Committee Special Meeting: World Cup Liquor Hours – June 16, 2026

A special meeting of the Safety Service and License Committee was held on June 16, 2026, to consider requests from four local businesses for extended operating and liquor-serving hours on four specific nights tied to World Cup soccer matches televised from Mexico. The committee voted unanimously to grant the extensions with several conditions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vincenzo Mazza, owner of Barlazio (1669 Cranston Street), testified via Zoom. He stated that based on his review of the game schedule, all games (including any potential overtime or penalty kicks) would end by 2:00 a.m. at the latest. He expressed full support for a 2:00 a.m. alcohol service cutoff and said there was no reason for his establishment to remain open past 2:00 a.m. He also confirmed he was comfortable with being held responsible if alcohol was served after 2:00 a.m.

Discussion Items

• Mayor's Letter: Council President Wall summarized a letter from the mayor, who placed on the record his opposition to the extended hours due to risks of drinking and driving. The mayor acknowledged the council's full authority and urged that any extension be more limited than state law maximums and conditioned on reasonable public safety requirements. The mayor requested police testimony. The letter was accepted into the record by unanimous vote.
• Police Testimony: A police representative (referred to as "major") stated that due to the late notice, it was unclear if all requested details could be filled. If details were unavailable, patrol officers would conduct routine liquor checks. The department would enforce compliance regardless.
• Council Deliberation: Council members discussed the appropriate closing time and alcohol cutoff.
  • Council President Wall noted the games (all starting at 11 p.m.) were expected to end between 1:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., but soccer could have overtime. He suggested a 2:00 a.m. alcohol stop with an extra hour to clear patrons.
  • Councilman Ritz shared the mayor's concerns but noted the businesses were not in residential areas and supported a 2:00 a.m. cutoff with a buffer.
  • Councilwoman Vazeri pointed out that games might run long due to penalties and recommended a 4:00 a.m. closing time (matching Providence) but with alcohol service ending at 2:00 a.m.
  • Councilman Andujar preferred setting clear rules first and discussed the risk of angry customers if games ran past 2:00 a.m.; Mr. Mazza responded that injury time is usually only 5–10 minutes.
  • Councilman Trafficanti supported a 4:00 a.m. closing, noting that businesses would close early if empty, and requiring a police detail until 4:00 a.m. would be a public safety benefit.
  • Councilwoman Graziano proposed the final motion, which was seconded and amended to specify indoor-only broadcast of the games.

Key Outcomes

• The committee voted unanimously (7-0) to approve extended hours for the four businesses (Barlazio, Lona Bar Lounge, Morasco's Bar and Grail) on four specific dates: June 16, June 22, June 26, and July 2, 2026.
• Conditions of approval:
  1. Establishments may remain open until 4:00 a.m.
  2. Alcohol service must cease at 2:00 a.m.
  3. A mandatory police detail is required from 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
  4. The games must be aired on indoor televisions at the establishments (no outdoor viewing).
• The licensing clerk noted that physical licenses cannot be printed until the following morning; police were advised to be aware that the businesses are licensed even without a printed license.