Dozens of Wisconsin bars allowed to stay open late during RNC

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 was set to host the Democratic National Convention ahead of 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.