More restaurants keep door open at night

The new Alcohol Act has increased the number of night restaurants serving alcohol at night, reported national broadcaster Yle.

Currently there are over 1,600 restaurants serving at least until 4:00 am. Last year, there were 600 such restaurants, said the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health-Valvira.

Courtesy of the reform, restaurants with license to serve alcohol indoors were granted the right to extend serving hours provided they notify the licensing authority. Previously restaurants had to apply for a permit.

Kari Kunnas of Valvira pointed out that not all restaurants wishing to remain open late necessarily keep their doors open.

According to Kunnas, many restaurants are trying according to the law to notify for extension to see if there are enough customers.

"We are not sure how many have actually continued to serve until 4:00 am," said Kunnas.

Some restaurants keep their doors open during seasons and events or during weekends only.

It is a big relief when it is only suffice to submit a notification and no need to apply for a permit every two years, said Veli-Matti Aittoniemi, deputy CEO of the Finnish Hospitality Association.

Serving hours at an indoor venue may be extended from 01:30 to 04:00 by notifying the licensing authority.