As thousands of people descend on Milwaukee and surrounding southeast Wisconsin cities for the Republican National Convention, dozens of Wisconsin bars have been given the green light to stay open later than usual.

Members of the media, delegates, and politicians alike can immerse themselves in an integral part of Wisconsin’s culture: enjoying a beer at a local bar. Many bars in the area are able to stay open until 4 a.m. local time during the week of the RNC. 

Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI) allowed bars to stay open extra hours by including it in his 2023-25 state budget plan, according to Urban Milwaukee. Evers approved a similar measure in his state budget in 2019 when Milwaukee hosted the Democratic National Convention during the 2020 election.

Bars in Kenosha, Racine, Walworth, Rock, Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, Dane, Ozaukee, Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Sheboygan, and Fond du Lac counties that have liquor licenses for beer, wine, or liquor sales are able to stay open until 4 a.m.

Wisconsin law currently allows bars to stay open until 2 a.m. on weekdays and until 2:30 a.m. on weekends. Bars that serve food will also be able to keep their kitchens open later as well.

Alcohol sales at stores are still prohibited past 9 p.m. per state law.

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Bars do not need to be affiliated with the RNC to take advantage of the new rule. In order to stay open, local officials must adopt a resolution to extend closing hours and grant the exception to business owners.

Some bars in Milwaukee have already announced they will be open until 4 a.m. per the new rule. The bar at Saint Kate The Arts Hotel, Mason Street Grill, Blu, and Miller Time Pub & Grill will be open until 4 a.m. according to Urban Milwaukee.