Bars and restaurants across the city can again sell alcohol starting at 8 a.m. during the Calgary Stampede, the province's liquor authority has announced.

The "blanket approval for early liquor service" will apply to all Class A, B and C liquor licensees in Calgary from July 8 to July 17, according to the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC).

Businesses along the route of the Stampede parade can also apply to open one hour earlier, at 7 a.m., on the day of the parade, July 8.

"The Stampede is a major event in our province, bringing thousands of visitors to Calgary to enjoy the unique Stampede experience," the AGLC said in a release.

The AGLC "is pleased to support liquor-licensed businesses with more flexible liquor service hours," it added.

The commission introduced across-the-board early hours during the 2014 Calgary Stampede as a pilot project.

At the time, Calgary police said they would monitor the situation closely for any changes in impaired driving or social disorder calls, but no major increase in problems was observed.

For years prior, the AGLC had been granting permits for early liquor service for special events on a case-by-case basis.

In February 2014, it also allowed bars province-wide to serve alcohol starting at 5 a.m. during the gold medal hockey game at the Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

The AGLC also announced on Friday that it would eliminate the previous restriction on "happy hours" that prevented bars from selling drinks at discounted prices after 8 p.m.