CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Restaurant goers may soon be permitted to walk around Charlotte with an alcoholic beverage in hand. 

The City of Charlotte is steps closer to establishing the first social districts in the Queen City. A social district would allow people to walk with open, to-go containers of alcoholic beverages in designated areas. 

What You Need To Know

  • Charlotte City Council is steps closer to establishing the first social district in the Queen City

  • A social district will permit restaurant and bar patrons to walk around certain areas with open, to-go containers of alcohol

  • Some employers feel a social district will boost revenues for businesses 

  • The next step is for the council to hear public comments for the proposed social districts 

In August 2022, the Charlotte City Council adopted an ordinance that allows the city to consider community proposals for creating new districts. This comes after the N.C. General Assembly enacted legislation so cities can adopt ordinances to designate social districts. 

According to the city, the proposed social districts must meet certain requirements: 

  • Patrons must purchase the alcohol from a bar, restaurant or establishment permitted by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission 
  • The beverages must be consumed within the boundaries and hours of the social district
  • Containers will be labeled with the social district's logo so it's clear where the drinks were purchased 

During Monday night's council meeting, Director of the Charlotte Department of Transportation Debbie Smith briefed council members on the social districts. 

If established, she says each new district will be required to display signage with information that identifies the district's boundaries, hours of operation and days of the week. 

"Businesses within the district must either 'opt in' or 'opt out,' not every business has to allow an open container on their premise," Smith said. 

She confirmed the Gilde Brewery and Plaza Midwood Merchants Association are the first to apply for the social district. City council will hold a public comment event for those proposed districts next month. 

Some restaurants in Plaza Midwood believe a social district could be good for local businesses. 

Ryan Grant is one of the partners of Moo & Brew Burger and Beer Joint in Plaza Midwood. 

Grant and his team are preparing to open up a new Moo & Brew location in Matthews.

Like many businesses, Grant supports measures that could drive more customers to the area and help boost revenue for local establishments. That's why he's hoping to see Charlotte's first social district coming to Plaza Midwood. 

"When you're leaving, instead of closing out your tab, you can get one more drink," Grant said. "If everybody gets one more drink before they go, that's going to increase sales quite a bit. I think it would be a bonus for everybody." 

Following the public hearings, city council is expected to take action, voting on the proposed social districts in May. 

"If they want to have an impact on business, let's get it done before summertime," Grant said. 

The city is accepting applications for those interested in establishing a social district.