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When the puck drops at 4 a.m. on Sunday (February 23) for the Olympic gold-medal men’s hockey game, many fans may need to find alternate locations to cheer on Team Canada. The Georgia Straight called up 20 Lower Mainland pubs and sports bars, and less than half stated that they will be open for business on Sunday morning.

The main issue deterring many bars and restaurants from opening past 2 a.m. is that liquor service will not be permitted after that time. In a February 20 news release, the B.C. government stated that “pubs and bars will be allowed to extend their hours so that patrons can stay and watch the game. However, in the interest of health and public safety, liquor service hours will remain unchanged.”

Trevor Poirier, co-owner of Yaggers (433 West Pender Street; 2884 West Broadway), told the Straight in a phone interview today (February 21) that he has been debating whether or not to open his restaurants since Canada beat the U.S. in this morning’s semi-finals.

“Thank god they got through, but I’ve got to talk to my management team today and make our decision,” Poirier said. “It’s a world-class event, and along with having good times, you usually have an alcohol-based drink…. To open up for just food, there’s no turnover, so everyone’s going to have one meal and sit around for two hours and drink the free coffee. To be honest, I’m leaning towards not doing it because to get staff in at that time and to increase your labour, it’s almost not worth it.”

Poirier’s sentiment was echoed by other restaurants and bars that were reached. Popular sports bars including the Shark Club, Red Card, Score on Davie, the Charles Bar, Village Taphouse, Malone’s Pub and Grill, Mahony & Sons, Kingstone Taphouse & Grille, and Yaletown Brewing Co. all confirmed to the Straight that they will not be showing the game at 4 a.m.

For hockey fans wanting to watch the game in the company of others, at least a half dozen bars and restaurants will be staying open after their usual 2 a.m. closure. The Pint Public House & Sports Bar (455 Abbott Street), Sin Bin Sports Grill (295 West 2nd Avenue), PHATter Sports Bar and Restaurant (1055 Mainland Street), and Wings Restaurant & Pub (6879 Kingsway Street, Burnaby) will all be showing the game. Some restaurants, such as G Sports Bar & Grill (1208 Granville Street), will require customers to make a minimum $15 purchase to watch the match at their venue.

Adam Bigham, a bartender at the Library Square Pub (300 West Georgia Street)—the only Donnelly Group establishment scheduled to open at 4 a.m.—is excited for Canada to face Sweden and said that he expects a large turnout on Sunday morning based on the response after today’s match.

“We had a full restaurant top to bottom with people having a great time here,” he told the Straight. “It’s always a good atmosphere when you’re surrounded by related fans. We’re all Canadian fans, obviously, but it’s a lot bigger now that they’re in Russia. Even for me behind the bar, it’s a good atmosphere to be in for sure.”