The image of the hard-drinking, or at least morning-drinking, soccer fan apparently has some basis in truth, at least in Chicago.
Fans of European soccer who want to drain pints while watching early Sunday matches in local watering holes helped prompt the City Council to move forward with a plan to push back the start time for liquor sales, an alderman said Thursday.
The council License Committee advanced an ordinance to allow alcohol to be sold at 9 a.m. Sundays instead of 10 a.m. at establishments that also sell food.
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North Side Ald. Michele Smith, 43rd, said the change is needed in part because of the growing popularity of bars that cater to people who want to watch live English and Spanish soccer games that kick off early in the morning in Chicago.
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“We were approached about this ordinance, it has its roots in European soccer,” Smith said. “Because of the growing popularity of watching games from Europe, many of our establishments would like to open up a little bit earlier to be able to play the games, and of course serve brunch.”
“It’s a fine Chicago tradition to repair to an establishment to watch a game,” Smith said later.
There’s no requirement that fans eat breakfast along with their a.m. drinks, but Smith said, “I think you’d be mistaken if you didn’t, though.”
The full City Council will consider the ordinance next week.
Twitter @_johnbyrne