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01/20/2023 3:49 pm

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Sip n' Stroll Downtown

Updated: Jan 20, 2023

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What is a social district? Social District Boundaries Days and Hours of Operation Participating and Non-Participating Locations Social District Requirements Special Events FAQ Feedback

Sip n' Stroll Downtown, Raleigh's pilot social district, allows people to drink beer, wine, or cocktails as they walk through a defined area of downtown Raleigh. 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 Raleigh.

Sip n' Stroll Downtown went into effect August 15, 2022.

For more information on social district requirements and FAQ, read the Sip n' Stroll Downtown Guide.

What is a social district?

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

Social District Boundaries

Open the Social District Map in a new window!

Days and Hours of Operation

The social district will operate seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Sun

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

11 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

 11 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. 11 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. 11 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. 11 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. 11 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. 11 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Participation in the social district by a special event is at the discretion of the special event permit holder.

Participating and Non-Participating Locations

social district window clings in downtown raleigh
Businesses located within the social district boundaries can submit this form to identify whether they want to opt-in or opt-out of the district. 

Window clings will be displayed in businesses to identify their status:

  • SOLD HERE - Purchase Sip n' Stroll drinks at these establishments
  • WELCOMED HERE - Sip n' Stroll drinks welcome in these non-ABC permitted establishments
  • NOT PERMITTED HERE - Sip n' Stroll drinks not allowed; Sip n' Stroll drinks not available for purchase
Business participation in Sip n' Stroll Downtown is voluntary.
If a business is not listed, it is not participating in Sip n' Stroll Downtown at this time. This list is what has been reported to the City. Check any business for their status before entering.
SOLD HERE - Participating Business
Beasley's Chicken + Honey
Bida Manda
Bittersweet
Brewery Bhavana
Centro Mexican Restaurant
City Club Raleigh
City of Raleigh Museum*
(During Special One-Time Permitted Events)
Crank Arm Brewing Company
El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant
Element Gastropub
FOUNDATION
Gravy
Jimmy V's Osteria and Bar
Junction West
Landmark Tavern
Lincoln Theatre
Miami Vibes
Mofu Shoppe
Neptunes
Oak City Meatball Shoppe
Parkside Restaurant
Poole'side Pies
Raleigh Convention Center and Performing Arts Complex
Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown
Ruby Deluxe
Sir Walter Coffee
Sitti
Sono
St. Roch
Tasty Beverage Company
The Architect
The Big Easy
The Bridge DTR
The Darby
The Davie
The Fiction Kitchen
The Haymaker
The Junction Salon and Bar
The Mecca
The Morning Times
The Pit
The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop
The Raleigh Times
Tonbo Ramen
Virgil's/The Merchant
Watts & Ward
Whiskey Kitchen
Woody's at City Market
Young Hearts Distilling
Business participation in Sip n' Stroll Downtown is voluntary.
If a business is not listed, it is not participating in Sip n' Stroll Downtown at this time. This list is what has been reported to the City. Check any business for their status before entering.
WELCOMED HERE - Participating Business
311 Gallery
Alter Ego Salon
Arrow Barbering Co.
Artspace
Black Friday Market
City Market Artist Collective
City of Raleigh Museum
Lobby and Gallery (first floor)
Woman's Club Classroom (downstairs)
Copperline Plant Company
Curate
Davis + Rhodes Home
DECO RALEIGH
Decree Company
Gathering Gallery
NASHONA Boutique
Office Revolution
Pop-up Shops at Martin Street
Read With Me
Children's Books & Art
The Vault Raleigh
The ZEN Succulent
Trolley Pub Raleigh
Union Special Bread
Unorthodox Vintage
Videri Chocolate Factory
Business participation in Sip n' Stroll Downtown is voluntary.
If a business is not listed, it is not participating in Sip n' Stroll Downtown at this time. This list is what has been reported to the City. Check any business for their status before entering.
NOT PERMITTED HERE - Non-Participating Location
Benny Capitale's
Caffe Luna
CAM Raleigh
Crema
Death & Taxes
lucettegrace
Munjo Munjo
Poole's Diner
Raleigh Raw
Rye Bar Southern Kitchen
Raleigh Marriott City Center
Slim's
The Anchor Bar
Zenith Raleigh

City Property and the Social District

It shall be unlawful for any person to possess an open container of malt beverages or unfortified wine on any property owned, occupied, or controlled by the City (including parking facilities) unless that property has been designated by the City as eligible for the consumption of alcohol under the rules of the social district and applicable State law.  Any City properties designated as eligible will be signed accordingly.

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 Raleigh 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

event attendees drink beverages in downtown raleigh

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.

FAQ

Our office has created a Sip n' Stroll Downtown Guide that provides relevant social district information, including Frequently Asked Questions. All businesses and patrons should review this guide, so they are aware of the complexities that come with having a social district in our City.

Feedback

Tell us what you think about Raleigh's pilot social district. We welcome feedback and use this information in future planning.

Sip n’ Stroll Downtown Feedback Form 

Resources

 

State Legislation

City Ordinance

Sip n' Stroll Downtown Map

Sip n' Stroll Downtown Guide

Sip n' Stroll Downtown Feedback Form

Contact

 

hospitality.programs@raleighnc.gov
919-996-2200

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Service Categories:
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