More North Carolina cities are adopting a new trend for the state that allows people to walk in public freely with open containers of alcohol. Some cities have created what’s called ‘Social Districts’. It is a designated area where people can walk around with open containers of beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages.
NC Governor Roy Cooper signed a bill last year that allows cities and towns to create these districts. It was a response to the pandemic forcing businesses to stop indoor dining.
There are a few rules to having a ‘social district.’
- People are not allowed to bring outside alcohol into a social district.
- Bars and restaurants have to use plastic cups with a printed label or a sticker to allow customers to take drinks into the streets.
- People are not allowed to take a drink from one bar or restaurant to another.
The city of Albemarle is the latest hoping to create a ‘Social Districts’. The city council will review an ordinance draft before voting on it. And several cities have already adopted the trend and a few others are considering it.