Soon, people in downtown Raleigh will be able to walk into a bar and get a beer to go. Raleigh City Council voted Tuesday to create a new “social district” downtown.

City Council members debated the new social district idea for months before agreeing on an area that includes much of the downtown core.

Raleigh City Council members voted to approve a "social district" in downtown Raleigh. The district will also include part of the Warehouse District, which is not included on this map. (Image courtesy City of Raleigh)

“We are very excited to have that done and out,” at-large councilor Jonathan Melton said as the council voted unanimously to approve the new district.

The social district will begin Aug. 15.

Related: More North Carolina towns consider allowing drinking in new 'social districts'

The North Carolina General Assembly passed a law last year to allow cities and towns to establish public drinking districts. Several cities have already created social districts, including Greensboro, Kannapolis and Monroe, according to the North Carolina ABC Commission.

Charlotte, New Bern, Wilmington and Winston-Salem are also considering setting up social districts.

Towns and cities that create social districts have to follow tight rules. They have to set hours for public drinking. Bars and restaurants that sign up to participate in the social district have to serve to-go drinks in special cups.

In Raleigh, the district runs from the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts up Fayetteville Street to Morgan Street, including surrounding blocks. The district includes the Red Hat Amphitheater, City Market and part of the Warehouse District.

The social district would operate every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.