The city of Providence is looking to accommodate college basketball fans who wish to enjoy a pint or two this St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
With the Rhode Island capital set to host a slew of first- and second-round NCAA Tournament games Thursday and Saturday, the city is temporarily suspending its open-container laws in certain designated areas.
The Providence Journal has the details:
“People may walk on the street with alcohol downtown, from Dorrance to Empire streets between Fountain and Washington streets, Thursday and Friday from 3 to 11 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m., according to mayoral spokeswoman Emily Crowell. Open containers will also be allowed on Atwells Avenue between Acorn Street and Garibaldi Square from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.”
Due to NCAA regulations, however, no alcohol will be served at the tournament site, the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.
“These are good people coming in throughout the country for the NCAA, and alcohol consumption is part of the festivities,” Providence public safety commissioner Steven Paré told the Journal. “Our experience talking to other municipalities and cities that have hosted the NCAA is, it’s a crowd that is respectful of law and doesn’t over-consume alcohol.”
The Dunkin’ Donuts Center will host four games on the tournament’s opening day: No. 4 seed Duke vs. No. 13 seed UNC-Wilmington (12:15 p.m. ET), No. 5 seed Baylor vs. No. 12 seed Yale (30 minutes after), No. 3 seed Miami vs. No. 14 seed Buffalo (6:50 p.m.) and No. 6 seed Arizona vs. No. 11 seed Wichita State (30 minutes after).
Providence’s own team, the No. 9 seed Friars, will take on No. 8 seed USC on Thursday night in Raleigh, N.C.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
