SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento City Council is debating the idea of establishing entertainment districts where one could consume alcoholic beverages in an open container away from bars and restaurants.
“I think it would be wonderful so you don’t have to knock [your drink] back and you can go outside and have fun,” said Bonnie Nichols, a Sacramento resident.
It’s the city’s latest attempt to pour into Sacramento nightlife.
“I envision it as a hub in the city, which I believe is culturally and demographically very important,” said Brandon Robinson, Tipsy Putt founder in the Downtown Commons (DOCO).
Robinson stated that it has been challenging for businesses to recover from the pandemic, but Tipsy Putt has been gradually experiencing increasing foot traffic. He feels emphasizing nightlife and providing a fun, fluid and safe space where people can bar-hop might be beneficial.
“We were in Arizona, and we could do some more of that sort of thing,” Stephanie Gustin said. “It just contributed to our enjoyment, but it has to be within limits.”
The city believes these entertainment districts could help businesses when there’s a special event occurring nearby so they can reap the sales from booze.
“I know what I don’t want. I don’t want 24 hours a part of the city having a New Orleans and Mardi Gras,” Mayor Kevin McCarty said.
McCarty said Sacramento is taking a look at cities such as San Francisco that have been successful with its open container entertainment zones, including in the area near the Chase Center.
“I personally don’t think that would be very smart because you’d have tons of people drunk out in public,” said Sacramento resident Iyesia Osborne.
Mayor McCarty informed CBS13 that there would be specified areas and hours when police would have more on duty.
“We’re being very, very conscientious,” McCarty said. “We will be having our police department assist us in drafting this.”
There are not specific places yet that would be included in these entertainment districts, but McCarty did say sections of K Street, R Street and Capitol Mall.
“You always want to add more nightlife downtown, but you gotta make it safe,” said Kris Errecart, a Sacramento resident.
The Department of Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) supports this shift in open containers and calls for special permits for businesses engaging in these zones.
In the last two years, Governor Gavin Newsom has been signing legislation to enable local governments to develop entertainment zones.
The Sacramento City Council will consider this at its Tuesday meeting.
Sacramento considers allowing open alcohol containers on streets in entertainment zones.
