Gillette Stadium Granted Larger Liquor License Footprint

FOXBOROUGH, MA — Gillette Stadium will be able to serve alcohol in more areas on stadium property without the need for additional one-day licenses.

The selectmen approved a liquor license alteration Tuesday night, expanding the license’s coverage to the Empower Field House, the practice field area, and the parking lot in front of the ProShop and NRG Plaza.

The vote unites the stadium property under one liquor license. The stadium in recent years have been using one-day liquor licenses to cover areas of the property that were not part of the license. The change does not impact Patriot Place.

Steven Miller, an attorney representing the stadium, said the change was requested due to the demand for the additional area. While the field house has served as a pregame hospitality area for guests and VIPs for years, the parking lot in front of the stadium has been used as a fan zone, with planters blocking vehicle access and food and beverages served in a fenced-in area.

“The sooner we get people out of the parking lot and under our control, we think it's a better situation,” Miller said.

Alcohol is served in these areas on Patriots game day and very few other events. James Nolan, the manager of the license, said they wouldn’t use the small parking lot to serve alcohol for a Kenny Chesney-like concert but it could make more sense in conjunction with something set up for a show similar to Taylor Swift.

Selectmen Chairman Chris Mitchell said he walked the stadium grounds with Kraft Group Vice President of Business Development Dan Murphy and asked Police Chief William Baker and Lt. Richard Noonan for their opinions. Both police officials had no issue with the change.

"By listening to those two and walking it with Dan, I’m very comfortable with it," Mitchell said.

As part of the vote, the stadium must continue the practice of fencing in the parking lot where alcohol is available.

Image Credit: Dan Libon/Patch