Drinks to go: Downtown Monroe social district off to successful start

Ryan Loren, The Monroe News
·4 min read
A sign posted for the social district boundary in downtown Monroe at the corner of East First Street and Washington Street.
A sign posted for the social district boundary in downtown Monroe at the corner of East First Street and Washington Street.

MONROE — Music and spirits have spiced up the summer in downtown Monroe.

The city's new social district officially opened June 30, which allows people to purchase alcoholic drinks from participating businesses and consume the beverages outside within specially marked boundaries. The social district was unanimously approved by city council last fall and was made a reality this summer.

The opening of the district coincided with the kickoff of the city's new Finally Friday music series at Altrusa Park, 107 E. Front St., which features live music from 5-7 p.m. on the fourth Friday of each month.

"We thought it was a good opportunity to kick off that series as well as the social district at the same time," said Mark Cochran, the city's director of economic and community development. "The Finally Friday series is meant to be a thing where people can stop by after work, grab a beer, and come by the park to listen to music."

A sign posted for the social district boundary in downtown Monroe at the corner of East First Street and Washington Street, with the Monroe County Courthouse in the background.
A sign posted for the social district boundary in downtown Monroe at the corner of East First Street and Washington Street, with the Monroe County Courthouse in the background.

The social district also has been enjoyed early on during the city's annual Summer Concert Series at St. Mary's Park, 111 W. Elm Ave. That series started May 18 with 13 concert dates. The Thursday night concerts start at 7 p.m. and feature live music into the evening in addition to food trucks at select events.

The opening of the social district already has had a positive effect on the Summer Concert Series, Cochran said.

"People are taking advantage of it," he said. "The numbers have been up in the Summer Concert Series. The nice weather has been helpful, too. ... The park has been full and it's been great to see. A lot of activity downtown, which is what we were hopeful for."

The social district is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. each day and year round. Cups and beverages can be purchased from participating business that have been approved by both the Monroe City Council and the state's Liquor Control Commission. The special cups have the logo of the business that sold the drink along with a sticker with the social district logo. The stickers are sold by the city with the profits funding special events and public art in the downtown area.

The date of purchase must be written on the cups, which cannot be reused. Cochran said there have been no reported compliance issues so far.

"We haven't had any issues," Cochran said. "The police haven't had any phone calls or had any issues with behavior, and I know that was a concern some people had."

A sign posted for the social district boundary in downtown Monroe on Harrison Street looking south before Second Street.
A sign posted for the social district boundary in downtown Monroe on Harrison Street looking south before Second Street.

Currently, three local businesses have been approved to participate in the district: Amaya's Fresh Mexican Grill, Michigan Wine & Beer Portal, and Public House.

Earlier this month, the city council approved BBD & K. Inc. for the social district. That company, owned by Jim Bica, includes Beeks Bar & Grille, Senor Cactus, and Mancino's Pizza & Grinders. Bica said he is waiting on final approval from the state liquor board.

Bica's brother, Chris Bica, was instrumental is pushing to establish the social district two years ago along with Tino Amaya, owner of Amaya’s. Chris Bica owned the now-closed McGeady’s Town Pub downtown.

"They got the ball rolling on it," Bica said. "I wanted to figure out what the rules were on it first (before applying) and what we could and couldn't do. ... It's a good start. We just need more events downtown to utilize it."

Updated map of the downtown Monroe social district as of July 19, 2023.
Updated map of the downtown Monroe social district as of July 19, 2023.

The city’s district runs the length of North Monroe Street from Willow to First and extends east to west along Front and First from Harrison to Macomb. The district branches off in a few other directions to accommodate other businesses and was expanded recently to include the whole of the River Walk. St. Mary’s Park and Government Plaza are part of the district only during special events and requires permission from the city.

The city has designed and ordered additional boundary markers that will be applied to the sidewalk and curbs. Cochran said the designs were a fun project for his staff with phrases included like, "The pint of no return — no alcohol past this point," and "No way, rosé — no alcohol past this point."

"Those are going to be pretty entertaining for people to go out and look for them," he said. "Each sticker is going to be different and I think folks will enjoy going around to get a chuckle out of all the different phrases."

SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

at St. Mary's Park

July 20: Katmandu - Bob Seger Tribute Band

July 27: Shout! Beatles Tribute Band

Aug. 17: Killer Flamingos

FINALLY FRIDAY SERIES

at Altrusa Park

Upcoming dates: July 28, Aug. 25, Sept. 22

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Drinks to go: Downtown Monroe social district off to successful start