Drinking hours extended for NBA finals

The Orlando City Council has approved a one-hour extension of alcoholic beverage sales during the 2009 NBA Finals home games on Tuesday, June 9 and Thursday, June 11.

“The economic spin-off from the games, such as increased hotel room bookings, additional retail sales, and increased sales at local restaurants help to sustain our economy,” wrote Public Information Officer for the City of Orlando Heather Allebaugh in an email sent to FOX 35.

Sales will end at 3 a.m. instead of the regular 2 a.m. cutoff time for all properly-licensed establishments within the city limits. Those establishments will also be permitted to stay open until 4 a.m.

Estabishments outside of Orlando city limits will be enforcing a 2 p.m. cut off for sales of alcoholic beverages. This includes tourist corridors like International Drive and the resort area near Walt Disney World.