CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte City Council plans to vote Monday night on a proposed social district in Plaza Midwood. If approved, this would be the first social district in Charlotte.

What You Need To Know

  • Charlotte City Council voting on whether Plaza Midwood will be the first social district in the city

  • Dozens of social districts have opened in North Carolina since it became legal in 2021

  • The districts allow customers to carry alcoholic drinks outside, from one business to another  

Social districts allow restaurant customers to take alcoholic drinks from one participating business to another within the designated district.

More than a dozen social districts have opened in North Carolina since the legislature passed a law making it legal in 2021. 

Downtown Gastonia is one of the cities that has implemented a social district. The city's director of economic development, Kristy Crisp, says since the social district went into effect six months ago, there have been no complaints from business owners and no incidents reported.

"We believe that foot traffic has definitely increased and will certainly continue to increase with an additional brewery opening in the social district later this year, and a 90-unit apartment also opening," Crisp said in an email.

Owner of Cavendish Brewery Company, Scott Cavendish, was the first to advocate for and take the proper steps to participate in the social district. Being in compliance with social district regulations includes designated cups marked with social district stickers and the business the cup came from, as well as a sign on the front of the business showing it's a participating location.

"When it first started out there was a big bump. We probably got about a 30% bump in sales for the first month or two, and now it's settled in," Cavendish said. "Now, the novelty of being able to walk with a beer in your hand and not fall over yourself has kind of settled in, and people are OK with it."

If Charlotte City Council approves the social district, it will not go into effect immediately. The city council media relations manager says the district cannot operate until cups and signage are purchased and in place in accordance with state law.