⚽ Get the latest World Cup news
Receive updates on the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Boston, MA
How liquor license legislation could make Boston's restaurant scene more equitable
Paris Alston: This is GBH’s Morning Edition. A bill that would grant Boston more liquor licenses is making its way through the state legislature. It’s already passed in the House, and now the Senate is making amendments, with a vote set to take place before the legislative session ends on July 31st. Joining us to talk more about this is Nick Korn, a partner and researcher with Offsite, an organization that develops training for the restaurant industry. Hi there Nick. Thanks for being here.
Nick Korn: Hi, Paris. Thanks for having me.
Alston: So how would this bill change things as they are now?
Korn: So this bill would create some additional restricted liquor licenses that would be issued to specific zip codes throughout the city that historically have been underserved by past liquor license laws.
Alston: And we have talked a little bit about this here on Morning Edition as part of our series Nightlife in Boston. Remind us why it is so difficult to get a liquor license.
Korn: Sure. That’s a complicated question for sure. There’s about 1,200 liquor licenses in the whole city of Boston, and that was created in a law at the end of prohibition, so basically 90 years ago, and hasn’t changed appreciably since then. And basically with that hard cap, we end up with a zero sum game in Boston. So every time you see a new place open somewhere, maybe downtown or inthe Seaport, it basically means that somewhere else had to close somewhere else in the city. And so what we’re seeing is that essentially we have this pattern of strip mining licenses out of our neighborhoods, especially our neighborhoods of color, and moving down into the Seaport and downtown. So there’s entire parts of our city that are wildly underserved and that have very few liquor licenses.
Alston: And Offsite and the Boston Black Hospitality Coalition drew up a map to illustrate this. And you know that there are 47 times more licenses in Boston’s for the whitest zip codes, versus its for least white. Tell us historically why that is the case.
Korn: Yeah. It follows a pattern of sort of structural racism that goes throughout our entire city. And so basically what we did is we just layered census data over licensing data. So there’s a ton of publicly available information that we just tried to bring together so that we could provide accurate data to inform our legislators and allow them to make data-driven decisions. But the pattern is based on what I said, essentially. So if I knew, let’s say multinational hotel wants to open somewhere downtown, they essentially engage a broker or a lawyer and they need to find an existing license because of that hard cap. So every new place, when you walk down, you know, Seaport Boulevard and you look at all these licenses and all of these restaurants, each one of them sort of has, at the heart of them, like the soul of a neighborhood restaurant that had to close. And you can’t really fault the operators for taking that money. The restaurant industry is exceedingly difficult, and the margins are very small. And so if someone comes along and offers you a six-figure check, it’s really hard to say no. But I fault the system which has created this zero-sum game where to open a new place, you have to close somewhere else.
Alston: And those can sell for like $600,000, right? On the secondary market.
Korn: Exactly. And there’s sort of this like artificial scarcity that’s been created by the state because of our liquor license law. And so this new bill does something really intentional. And so it doesn’t create additional transferable licenses that will be traded and sold on that secondary market. Instead, it creates restricted licenses that are issued to an individual ZIP code. And so basically they wait at the city until someone from that zip code applies and is approved by the city and the state. And then if that business closes or that operator wants to, you know, exit, that license goes back to the city and stays there only to be issued to that zip code. So it sort of like backfills the hole of what’s been dug out and brought downtown into the Seaport.
Alston: So one of those zip codes includes the neighborhood of Mattapan here in Boston. And a few weeks ago here on Morning Edition, we took a walk down the block in Mattapan Square as part of a regular series that I do here. And one of the subjects of that story, Wendell Delk, told us how there used to be multiple bars and nightclubs in the area that ended up leaving, but had they remained, there could have been an opportunity.
Wendell Delk: People driving up and down from the surrounding areas can come and say, hey, there’s people sitting outside. So that probably would have opened it up to a more communicable way of life for Mattapan, where it’d become a melting pot.
Alston: So tell us what is lost when a neighborhood doesn’t have access to this resource?
Korn: Yeah. So there’s countless examples. And then when you really zoom in to one space, you know, you talk to folks in the neighborhood and people remember a given address that used to be a bar, that used to be a restaurant that they had, you know, fundamental memories. They met friends or they got engaged or, you know, any sort of like, life-altering moments. And those spaces are dark. I’ll give the example of a bar in Roxbury. It was Sonny Walker’s.
Alston: Yes, I remember when it closed.
Korn: And then it became C&S Tavern. And then basically what happened is an internationally owned steakhouse that wanted to open in the Prudential Center, you know, went to the family who were already kind of dealing with generational change and succession planning and offered them, you know, a number that was too good to be true. And they took the exit. And so then that historical space, that really like living room of Roxbury, went dark and became a closed space. And if you look at that little strip of Warren Ave., you know, there’s a dollar store and there’s probably five empty storefronts. And so basically what happened is Royal Smith of the Boston Black Hospitality Coalition has been an amazing collaborator on this whole process. He saw this opportunity, and he was able to get one of these restricted licenses to recreate a gathering space, a third space in our neighborhood. And that’s what District 7 Tavern is. These liquor licenses are really about sit down restaurants, right? Sure, there’s going to be bars and taverns, but fundamentally, the sit down restaurant is reliant on a liquor license. And so because of this pattern, we’ve been losing our licenses. And then these neighborhoods essentially just have takeout places and counter service, because if you are in a major metropolitan city like Boston and you don’t own your own building, and certainly plenty of us don’t, the finances of a restaurant just don’t work. And if you go up and down our neighborhoods, including Mattapan, so many of our businesses are quick takeout. So that doesn’t create community. It doesn’t create as many jobs, it doesn’t create as much economic activity. And so this new bill, if and when it passes, it could have a huge impact on our city, on our neighborhoods, our small business owners, and specifically on our small business owners of color in our neighborhoods of color.
Alston: Well, that is Nick Korn, a partner and researcher with the organization Offsite, which develops training for the restaurant industry. Nick, thank you so very much.
Korn: Thank you so much for having this conversation, Paris.
Alston: You’re listening to GBH News.
Local News
Boston is preparing for a significant combination of major events this summer, from the FIFA World Cup to the return of Tall Ships and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations.
Boston is preparing for a significant combination of major events this summer, from the FIFA World Cup to the return of Tall Ships and America’s 250th anniversary celebrations. Millions of visitors are expected to pass through the city, many of them navigating Boston for the first time. Here are answers to some of the most common questions visitors may have before they arrive.
Where is rideshare pick up at Logan Airport?
Passengers using a rideshare app can only be picked up in designated areas for ride app vehicles. Look for signs to your terminal’s designated Ride App pickup area before requesting your ride.
Taxis are available at designated stands on the Arrivals level at Terminals A, B, C and E. Taxi dispatchers are located in all terminals to help you. Taxis are priced per mile, according to the Boston Police Department: for the first ⅛ of a mile, you pay $3.80, then, for each ⅛ mile after, you pay $0.40. Passengers also pay a $2.75 toll for all trips from Boston proper to Logan Airport and communities on the North Shore. However, passengers don’t have to pay a toll from Boston proper to East Boston (not including the airport).
Do I need a CharlieCard to ride the T?
No, you don’t need a CharlieCard to ride the train (the T). Most MBTA subway and bus riders can pay directly with a credit card, debit card, smartphone, or smart watch. If you’re riding the Commuter Rail, you’ll need to download the MBTA mTicket app before your trip to purchase and scan Commuter Rail tickets directly from your phone.
However, if you’d like to purchase a CharlieCard, you most certainly can. In fact, the MBTA launched a special edition collectable CharlieCards featuring iconic Boston landmarks to celebrate the summer’s slew of major events. As of Tuesday, cards are available at fare kiosks at Park Street, Downtown Crossing, and Forest Hills stations. Cards will be rolled out at over a dozen more stations throughout the subway system this week.
-
Wickedpedia: Why is it called a CharlieCard?
How do I get to Boston Stadium?
Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) is located in the town of Foxborough, which is about 22 miles (35 km) south of Boston.
The Boston Host Committee for the FIFA World Cup 2026 suggests fans leave plenty of time to travel to the stadium. If you’re driving from Boston, allocate between 60 to 90 minutes to get to the stadium, and 45 to 50 minutes if you’re driving from Providence.
If you’re taking the Commuter Rail to the stadium, you must buy a Boston Stadium train ticket in advance ($80 roundtrip) from the MBTA mTicket app. The train will take you directly to and from each World Cup match. Arrive at South Station at the time shown for your boarding group (you can see all Boston Stadium train ticket schedules here). The train ride is about an hour long. All Boston Stadium train tickets include a return trip after the match, with trains starting to leave Foxboro Station 30 minutes after the final whistle and roughly every 15 minutes until all trains have departed.
If you’re taking the Boston Stadium express bus ($95 roundtrip), you must buy tickets in advance. Bus service starts three to four-and-a-half hours before kickoff. Arrive at your bus pickup (there are over 90 locations across Greater Boston plus from the Rhode Island Convention Center in Providence) no later than 30 minutes before your scheduled departure time. After the match buses will start leaving 30 minutes after the final whistle.
Boston Stadium’s gates open three hours before kickoff. Parking (which must be booked in advance) will be open to fans fours hours before kickoff. FIFA encourages fans to arrive early for security screening, ticket scanning, and entry before kickoff. For more information on getting to and from the stadium, see the Boston Host Committee’s fan travel guide.
Where can I watch the World Cup, Sail Boston, and Fourth of July fireworks in Boston?
There are plenty of World Cup watch parties hosted at local bars and restaurants across Boston’s neighborhoods. Standout spots include Boston’s only Scottish bar, The Haven, which is the de facto home base for Scottish fans; and The Lansdowne Pub in Fenway, which will offer World Cup-themed cocktails and food tied to specific games. There will also be a FIFA Fan Festival at Boston’s City Hall Plaza from June 12 through 27 featuring live match broadcasts and a cultural showcase highlighting local artists, musicians, and performers.
-
Where to watch the World Cup in Boston
From July 11 through 16, a fleet of tall ships will sail into Boston as part of Sail250, a global gathering of tall ships to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Most Sail Boston activities are expected to be concentrated along Boston’s waterfront. If you’re coming from outside of Boston, take the Commuter Rail into South Station. From there, take the Silver Line to the Seaport District and Boston Waterfront, where you can visit the Tall Ships. If you’re coming from North Station, it’s about a 0.6-mile walk to Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park in the North End, where you can enjoy a great view of the ships. Other spots to see the Tall Ships include Castle Island, East Boston and Charlestown. You can find a schedule of free events here, and can use Sail Boston’s interactive harbor map to see the Parade of Sail route through Boston Harbor, recommended viewing locations along the waterfront, and public access to piers and Tall Ship berthing areas.
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular will take place on Saturday, July 4 at the DCR Hatch Shell on the Esplanade from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The event features the Boston Pops led by Keith Lockhart, guest performances by Lainey Wilson and Chance The Rapper, and a fireworks show starting at 9:15 p.m. There are several places to watch the fireworks, including the Charles River Esplanade near the Hatch Memorial Shell; Castle Island Beach in South Boston; and Memorial Drive in Cambridge. The Hatch Shell is accessible via the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge. The Esplanade is accessible via a footbridge at the intersection of Silber Way and Back Street near Boston University’s campus; a footbridge at the intersection of Fairfield and Back Streets in Back Bay; a pedestrian ramp where the Harvard Bridge goes over Storrow Drive; the Frances Appleton Pedestrian Bridge in Beacon Hill; and from the Charles River/MGH T stop on the Red Line.
What should I do if the T is crowded after a major event?
Walk. Boston was ranked as the second-most walkable city in the world, according to a 2025 Time Out survey. Downtown Boston is approximately 1.5 square miles, making it easy to access many points of interest in a short amount of time.
Where can I find public restrooms in Boston?
There are many public restrooms hidden in plain sight in Boston. From libraries and to firehouses, here’s a running list of public restrooms.
Can I get anywhere interesting by water?
Yes. In addition to subway and bus service, the MBTA also operates ferry service from Boston to several coastal neighborhoods, islands, and even Logan airport.
In Boston, the main ferry terminals are located along Atlantic Ave, just outside of the Aquarium Station on the Blue Line. Each MBTA ferry terminal is marked with a T sign. Fares depend on the route you take, but range from $2.40 to $9.75 each way. Ferries operate year-round and include both indoor and outdoor seating. They also offer a fantastic view of Boston and the Boston Harbor Islands. You can find schedules and maps here as well as a beginner’s guide here.
What’s parking like in Boston?
If you see a “Resident Parking Only” sign in a neighborhood, it means you need a resident parking permit sticker for that space. However, metered parking and garage parking is available throughout the city.
Most meters operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday (on Sundays and City holidays you can park for free). You can generally only park in a metered spot for two hours before needing to move your car. You can pay your meter with quarters, credit cards, and by using the ParkBoston app (if a ParkBoston decal is on the meter where you parked). Metered parking ranges between $2.50 and $3.75 per hour, depending on the neighborhood.
Downtown Boston has more than 6,300 parking spaces in thirteen public parking garages, according to the Downtown Boston Alliance, with most garages offering discounted parking rates on nights and weekends. Garage parking typically ranges from $10 to $20 for the first hour, with daily maximums up to $75.
FIFA World Cup host cities lay out security plans ahead of matches
Host cities ramp up security and anti-human trafficking efforts ahead of FIFA World Cup matches across the U.S.
The FIFA World Cup is coming to Massachusetts, and when it comes to having a place for people to hang out together, there will be a free fan zone where everyone can celebrate the big event.
Seven World Cup matches will take place at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, MA this summer, and the first one is right around the corner, to be played on June 13, with Scotland taking on Haiti.
Fan Zones are a public space to watch the game for people who don’t have tickets to the actual game. Held in public places, they broadcast the mach on giant screens to offer an immersive experience to watch the game, according to FIFA>
“At the heart of FIFA Fan Festival Boston, (a) Cultural Showcase will ignite the stage with a vibrant celebration of the spirit, creativity, and cultural heartbeat of Boston and communities across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” FIFA said.
Where will the fan zone be located when the World Cup games start in just 11 days?
Where is the World Cup fan zone going to be in Massachusetts?
The official FIFA Fan Festival for the 2026 World Cup in Boston will be located at Boston City Hall Plaza at 1 City Hall Sq. Boston, MA.
“The festival will run daily from June 12 through June 27, offering live match broadcasts, cultural showcases, food vendors, and entertainment,” according to FIFA.
The fan zone will open between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. and will stay open until after dark, between 8:30 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. according to reports.
Activities at the fan zone
Here are some of the offerings at the fan zone in Boston, according to the FIFA website:
- Live broadcasts: Giant outdoor screens that broadcast tournament matches in high-definition.
- Entertainment & music: Live concerts, DJ sets, and performances celebrating global culture.
- Interactive activations: Skills challenges, mini-pitches, inflatable games, and sponsor booths.
- Food & merch: International food stalls, local beverage offerings, and official tournament merchandise.
How to go to the fan zone
While the game is free, you do need to register in advance.
“You can select which days and matches you plan to attend through the FIFA World Cup Boston 2026 website or the Meet Boston events page. Up to six people can register on a single application,” the World Cup Boston website says.
The Boston Bruins increasingly relied on a new wave of young players in the 2025-26 season. Their speed and energy became an intrinsic part of the team’s structure, complementing a more experienced core. Boston entered the offseason on May 2 after a 4-1 loss to Buffalo in Game 6 of the first round. Despite this, […] The post Who Will Form the Boston Bruins’ Future Core? appeared first on The Lead.
-
South Dakota3 minutes agoTornado watch in effect as severe storms target South Dakota
-
Tennessee6 minutes agoTennessee Baseball Breakout Star Announces He Won’t Enter the Transfer Portal
-
Texas11 minutes agoCentral Texas soldier dies in Iraq during training incident, Department of Defense says
-
Utah18 minutes agoNew program at University of Utah aims to keep up with growing Utah industry
-
Vermont21 minutes agoVermont seeks dynamic pricing for state park access
-
Virginia26 minutes agoWest Virginia commit announces decision by blasting ‘Country Roads,’ lighting a couch on fire
-
Washington33 minutes agoSteelers Sign TE Darnell Washington to Four-Year Extension
-
Wisconsin36 minutes agoWisconsin DNR reminding ATV and UTV drivers that more wardens will be out this weekend
