How early should you start celebrating on St. Patrick’s Day? Pubs in Covington, Ky. have been granted special permission to open as early as 6 am for the Irish holiday this year.

Although existing laws typically ban alcohol sales until 9 am on Sundays, the City Commission voted 5-0 last week to make an exemption to the law for businesses who obtain a special event permit and temporary license, WCPO Cincinnati reports.

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It isn’t the first time bars in the area have opened this early. Exceptions to the law have been made twice before — when the Bengals played London in 2016 and for the Flying Pig Marathon in 2017. Previously, businesses had to go through an approval process that took four weeks, however, the City Commission’s recent vote has changed that.

City Solicitor Michael Bartlett said: “This ordinance revision gives the City the ability to approve future requests without enacting legislation each time - yet still have safeguards in place - on those rare occasions when businesses or organizations want to serve alcohol for special events early on Sundays.”

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Local Irish pub Molly Malone’s, which will open at 7 am with Kegs and Eggs, posted on its Facebook page that this March 17th will be the “biggest St. Patrick’s Day party in the tristate.”

Do you think early opening times puts too much of an emphasis on drinking on St Patrick's Day? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section, below. 

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