Bars across the Twin Cities area will probably be staying open a few hours later during the Republican National Convention.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a bill Thursday that will allow local governments to extend bar hours until 4 a.m. in the seven-county metropolitan area during the convention. The current cutoff time for bars is 2 a.m.

From Aug. 31st to Sept. 5th, bars will be able to stay open later as long as the cities where they are located agree to the change. Local governments would be allowed to charge special permit fees of up to $2,500.

The Democratic National Convention opens in Denver before the RNC. The Democratic National Convention is 101 days away. It runs Aug. 25-28.