The World Cup officially begins in Philly. Welcome to the city where the Declaration of Independence was signed 250 years ago, yet the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has managed to turn a simple concept into a bureaucratic catastrophe that has left two-thirds of the bars that applied for extended hours either unapproved or still waiting for their permits.
The entire world is about to show up in Philadelphia for the biggest sporting event on the planet and the state government has made it harder for bars to stay open until 4 AM than it is for most countries to get a visa.
Governor Shapiro signed a bill back in March that allows Philadelphia bars and restaurants to stay open until 4 AM from June 11 through July 19 to accommodate the flood of international visitors coming for the World Cup, America250, and the All-Star Game…