The clock hit 2 a.m. Wednesday, and lo and behold, bartenders were still serving drinks at the Bank and Bourbon restaurant inside the swanky Loews Philadelphia Hotel in Center City.
"I love it!" declared Anthony Perez, 26, a New York delegate to the Democratic National Convention, as he enjoyed an Old Fashioned cocktail.
Perez applauded the state's decision to extend closing time from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. for a select group of liquor-serving businesses -- mainly located in hotels -- during the convention this week.
It has made for a better convention experience, said Perez, who is staying at the Loews with the rest of the New York delegation.
"Simple things like having more hours and more reasons for people to hang around helps the cause," he said.
It also allowed him to appreciate the Philadelphia's historic architecture as he walked from place to place after convention business was finished for the night.
"It was eye-opening to see how amazing the city is," he said.
Zellnor Myrie, 29, who just graduated from law school and is working with the New York delegation, said the added hours provides more time for networking, which is crucial for young people in politics.
"You have four hours to mingle with folks," he said.
Around 12:15 a.m. Wednesday, conventioneers were still arriving by bus in Center City from the Wells Fargo Center.
Bruce Jones, 53, a California delegate staying at the Philadelphia Marriot Downtown, said that since he's been in town, the first chance he's had to have dinner each day was at 2 a.m.
"So it's very convenient," Jones said of the added hours.
The scene at the Marriott's Circ restaurant was a lively mix of delegates and even a group of protesters who during the day had marched on Broad Street.
At one point, supporters of former presidential candidate Sanders suddenly began chanting his name in the middle of the bar, eliciting smiles from other patrons.
Later, a fight almost erupted over some angry talk about police shootings of African Americans. Several police officers showed up at the bar just in case there was trouble.
The two men arguing parted ways without throwing blows.
(c)2016 The Philadelphia Inquirer
