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08/17/2022 4:03 pm

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Sip n' Stroll Downtown

Updated: Aug 17, 2022

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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 outdoor 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
  • WELCOME 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 Businesses		 WELCOME HERE -
Participating Businesses		 NOT PERMITTED HERE -
Non-Participating Businesses
Beasley's Chicken + Honey 311 Gallery CAM Raleigh
Bida Manda Alter EGO Salon Death & Taxes
Bittersweet Artspace lucettegrace
Brewery Bhavana Black Friday Market Munjo Munjo
Centro Mexican Restaurant City Market Artist Collective Poole's Diner
City Club Raleigh City of Raleigh Museum
Lobby Area Only		  
Crank Arm Brewing Company Copperline Plant Company Zenith Raleigh
El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant Curate  
Element Gastropub Davis + Rhodes Home  
FOUNDATION DECO RALEIGH  
Garland Gathering Gallery  
Gravy House of Swank Clothing  
Jimmy V's Osteria and Bar NASHONA Boutique  
Junction West Office Revolution  
Landmark Tavern Pop-up Shops at Martin Street  
Lincoln Theatre Read With Me
Children's Books & Art		  
Mofu Shoppe The Vault Raleigh  
Oak City Meatball Shoppe The ZEN Succulent  
Parkside Restaurant Trolley Pub Raleigh  
Poole'side Pies Unorthodox Vintage  
Raleigh Convention Center and
Performing Arts Complex		 Videri Chocolate Factory  
Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown    
Ruby Deluxe    
Short Walk Wines    
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    

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

Lead Department:
Emergency Management and Special Events
Service Categories:
Hospitality Programs

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