Restaurants in Connecticut are catching a break with new rules when it comes to hours of operation.

Starting Tuesday, they can stay open one hour later.

Some patrons seem happy about the shift and are looking forward to being able to stay out later.

Chris Hickey, who owns Spread in Norwalk, says it's progress, albeit with gradual benefits. He says he is interested to see if there is a bump in reservations on the weekend.

"We keep the staff on longer, we order more food, we prepare more food," Hickey said. "We just keep everything in the direction of being busier."

The Connecticut Restaurant Association says it would like to see all curfews lifted as they have in other states. Gov. Ned Lamont says he is concerned that late night crowds may be less willing to adhere to precautions, which caused the curfews to be installed in the first place.

"Getting that third turn at night ... It's very helpful," said Scott Dolch, president of the CT Restaurant Association.