Social District

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Downtown Fayetteville

Cup Mockup On November 14, 2022, the City Council approved the adoption of the Social District ordinance for the creation of a temporary Downtown Social for 12 months, from December 2022 to December 2023, to operate seven days a week from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday to Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday.

A social district allows people to drink beer, wine, or cocktails as they walk through a defined area of downtown Fayetteville. Social districts have been implemented in various towns and cities across the state since the North Carolina General Assembly enacted legislation in 2021 allowing municipalities to designate areas where alcoholic beverages can be purchased from a licensed ABC permittee, and then taken outdoors.

It is anticipated that the social district will be a valuable tool in increasing economic activity and vibrancy of downtown Fayetteville. The goal of a social district is to generate foot traffic and increase post-COVID economic recovery efforts for small businesses.

What is a Social District?

A social district is defined outdoor area in which a person may consume alcoholic beverages sold by an ABC permittee. This term does not include the ABC permittee's licensed premises or an extended area allowed under G.S. 18B-904(h).

Who Can Designate a Social District?

House Bill 890 did not create a statewide social district but instead allows cities and counties to “opt-in” to social districts via an ordinance.
A city may adopt an ordinance designating an area within the municipal limits as a social district under G.S. 160A-205.4. A county may adopt an ordinance designating a social district for an area located outside a municipal boundary under G.S. 153A-145.9.

What can you do in a Social District?

Purchase your alcohol beverages from one of the participating restaurants/breweries located within the Cool Sprint Downtown District.
You will be given a specially designed cup that can be used only in the social district’s boundary lines (see our Social District map).
Experience the Vibe of the Social District as you shop our downtown merchant community.
Dispose of your designated social district cup into any of the trash cans located in Downtown Fayetteville.

Social District Boundaries

Days and Hours of Operation

Rules & Regulations

Business Participation

While you are in enjoying your beverage in the Cool Spring Downtown District, view which businesses are participating in the Social District by looking for this sticker. Each sticker will displays which businesses you are allowed to purchase your alcoholic beverage, take your beverage into a business, or are not permitted to have alcoholic beverages.

SOLD HERE

The Sip Room
Bright Light Brewing Company
Bruce’s Sportsblock and Lounge
Winterbloom
Pierro’s Italian Bistro
Blue Moon Cafe
Gaston Brewing Company
Cameo Art House Theatre
The Livery Cigar Emporium
Archway Burgers, Dogs, and Beer
Coffee Scene at the Prince Charles
Hay Street Kitchen and Rooftop
Huske Hardware Restaurant
Taphouse at Huske
Vibe Gastropub

Welcomed-Here

WELCOMED HERE

Ravens Nest Tattoo and Cranium Company
Reverie Goods & Gifts
American Barbershop
Garnet Skull
Hummingbird Candle Co
The Sweet Palette
PRESSED
City Center Gallery & Books
Stevies
Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County
A Bit of Carolina
Momma’s Village of Fayetteville
Washington Apparel Company
Malzone Marketing Inc
Cursive
Fayetteville Wellness Center
Greater Fayetteville Chamber
Turner Lane
Fabulous Finds Boutique
Bails for Tails Thrift and Donation Store
Blanc Coffee Roasters

Sold-Here

NOT PERMITTED HERE

Fascinate-U Children’s Museum
Edward Museum
Tyson Commercial Real Estate
Ray, O’Connor, Coleman & Halverson, PLLC
Elevo Dynamics
U.S. Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum
The Capitol Encore Academy
Rising Phoenix Counseling Services, PLLC
Rude Awakening Coffee House
Skyview on Hay
Tone Pilates
United Hay Street Methodist Church
DBI
Circa 1800

Not-Permitted-Here

Social District Requirements

The social district must meet the following requirements under North Carolina law:

An alcoholic beverage purchased for consumption in the social district must:
- be consumed in the social district.
- be disposed of before exiting the social district unless entering a business within the social district that allows alcoholic beverages to be brought inside the business.

ABC Permittee Requirements - A permittee located and selling alcoholic beverages within the social district must meet the following requirements under North Carolina law:

The permittee must:
- only sell and serve alcoholic beverages on its licensed premises.
- only sell alcoholic beverages for consumption in a container that meets all of the following requirements:
  - The container clearly identifies the permittee from which the alcoholic beverage was purchased.
  - The container clearly displays a logo or some other mark that is unique to the social district in which it will be consumed.
  - The container is not comprised of glass.
  - The container displays, in no less than 12-point font, the statement, "Drink Responsibly – Be 21."
  - The container shall not hold more than 16 fluid ounces.

ABC Permittee Requirements - A permittee located and selling alcoholic beverages within the social district should meet the following City of Fayetteville requirements:

The permittee should:
- write the time and date when served on the social district cup
- place recycling receptacles at the interior door of their establishment

ATTENTION:

ANY ABC PERMITTEE PARTICIPATING IN THE SOCIAL DISTRICT IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN ATTORNEY OR ABC COMMISSION STAFF TO FAMILIARIZE THEMSELVES WITH THE STATUTORY AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE SOCIAL DISTRICT AND THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES THEY SELL THAT ARE CARRIED INTO THE DISTRICT

Patron Requirements - The possession and consumption of an alcoholic beverage in a social district is subject to all of the following requirements of North Carolina law:

Only alcoholic beverages purchased from a permittee located in the social district may be possessed and consumed.
Alcoholic beverages must:
- only be in designated social district containers.
- only be possessed and consumed during the days and hours set by the City:
  - Seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
A single patron cannot be sold or delivered alcoholic beverage drinks in excess of:
- Not more than two alcoholic beverage drinks at one time if any of the following:
  - Beer or wine.
- Not more than one alcoholic beverage at one time if an alcoholic beverage drink contains liquor.
A person must dispose of any alcoholic beverage before exiting the social district unless entering a business within the social district that allows alcoholic beverages to be brought inside the business.

Special Events

Recent changes in North Carolina law allow a special event located within a social district to receive a permit for the sale of alcohol within their event area from the ABC Commission. ABC Commission staff have indicated to the City that a special event permittee may participate in a social district if the requirements under North Carolina law to do so are followed, including allowing beverages with social district cups to be carried from and into the special event area. Participation in the social district is at the special event holder’s discretion.

Event organizers will have the choice to allow social district beverages within their event footprint or not. Our office will educate event organizers and determine their preference. Businesses within the social district will receive event notifications and whether portions of the social district will be impacted by special events with or without alcohol.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a social district?
A social district is a defined outdoor area where alcoholic beverages, sold by an establishment licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, may be consumed.

When does the social district go into effect?
Fayetteville's social district will begin on Thursday, December 1, 2022.

What are the days and hours of operation for the social districts?
The days and hours of operation for this social district shall be Monday to
Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Participation in the social district by a special event is at the discretion of the special event permit holder.

Can a convenience store sell alcoholic beverages to-go as part of the social district?
No. Participating locations must have an ABC permit for on-site consumption as outlined in NCGS 18B-904.1(a).

Can I bring my own alcoholic beverage into a social district?
No. Alcoholic beverages must be sold by a permittee located within the social district. No personal beer, wine, or liquor can be brought into the social district.

Can I take an alcoholic beverage in my social district cup home with me?
No. Cups should be disposed of in a nearby recycling receptacle prior to exiting the social district.

Can I take my alcoholic beverage into a vehicle within the social district?
No. No person shall possess an alcoholic beverage while driving a vehicle, including bicycles and scooters. Open containers of alcohol are also prohibited in the passenger area of any vehicle while on the right-of-way within a social district.

How can participating businesses be identified?
Participating businesses will have window clings displayed to identify that they have opted into the social district.

How does a business opt-in to the social district?
Businesses can submit this form to identify whether they want to opt-in or opt-out of the social district.

How many alcoholic drinks can I purchase at one time in a social district?
A single patron cannot be sold or delivered more than two alcoholic beverage drinks at one time of beer or wine and more than one alcoholic beverage at one time of a drink containing liquor.

How will the social district be enforced?
Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) and local law enforcement have jurisdiction over the social district.

How will the social district boundaries be marked?
Signage will be placed at the boundaries of the City's social districts. Alcohol is not permitted outside beyond the social district boundaries.

What happens if I leave the social district boundaries with an alcoholic beverage?
Individuals who leave the social district with an alcoholic beverage can be criminally charged.

What if I am a retailer, and I do not want alcohol inside of my business?
All businesses located within the social district have the option to opt-out of the district. Signage indicating whether you are a participant in the social district or not will be provided by the City.