Outdoor drinking zones opening in Boston Friday during World Cup, other summer events

Looks like Boston’s shedding its famously puritanical image this summer.

On Friday, the city will open designated areas for outdoor alcohol and food consumption to accommodate a crush of visitors descending on the region for the World Cup and other summer festivities, officials said.

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“Patrons will be able to consume alcoholic beverages outdoors within the Social District at Union and Marshall Streets — located in Downtown’s Blackstone Block Historic District — and on Temple Place in Downtown Crossing,” Kelsey Bruun, a spokesperson for the city’s Economic Opportunity & Inclusion Cabinet, said in a statement.

The zones will run through July 31.

State lawmakers recently cleared the way for communities to allow public drinking and last calls as late as 3 a.m. through the end of July, should they choose. It’s a big shift in a state that famously still doesn’t allow happy hour drink specials.

Last week, Cambridge launched its own open container haven in compliance with the law.

Now its neighbor across the Charles is getting into the game.

The Union-Marshall Street district will operate from 9 a.m. to midnight Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays. The Temple Place Social District will operate from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Mondays through Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sundays.

Temple Place will be closed to vehicular traffic on Friday as that zone opens up.

There’s a little red tape involved for businesses within the zones that wish to join the frothy fun.

To participate, establishments “must file a one-day amendment application with the Boston Licensing Board,” Bruun said.

“Businesses may not begin serving or selling alcoholic beverages for public consumption within the designated district until they receive approval from the Licensing Board.”

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There are also rules for bars and restaurants in the zones that get the green light.

“Beverages for public consumption will be in clear plastic containers with a sticker or other label or inscription noting the establishment that sold the drink,” Bruun said. “Participating establishments may not sell more than one 16 ounce alcoholic beverage for public consumption per customer per transaction.”

In addition, soccer fans and other revelers thinking this is a BYOB affair had better think again.

“Patrons may not bring outside alcohol — including alcohol purchased from another establishment — into a licensed premise,” Bruun said. “Participating establishments are responsible for educating patrons about the boundaries of the Social District.”

City officials reserve “the right to immediately modify or revoke a licensee’s ability to participate for excessive noise, overserving patrons, underage alcohol consumption, and uncontrolled lines or loitering,” Bruun said.

Michael J. Nichols, president of the Downtown Boston Alliance, which worked with the city on planning for the Temple Place spot, praised the social districts. He said the Temple Place zone is home to 11 popular restaurants, 10 of which have alcohol licenses.

“Downtown [Boston] is at its best when it is a destination,” Nichols said.

Niki Griswold of the Globe Staff contributed to this report. Material from prior Globe coverage was also used.

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