Many NC cities allow carrying alcohol outside. Charlotte doesn’t, but that may change soon

Audrey Elsberry
·5 min read

Over 30 cities and towns across the state have established social districts since North Carolina legalized the open container areas in 2021. But Charlotte, the Carolinas’ biggest city, doesn’t have one, even though smaller neighbors like Gastonia, Salisbury and Kannapolis do.

And Huntersville is already considering adding a second social district.

Social districts allow people to carry alcoholic beverages in public within a defined area, permitted by the city. Charlotte has not received any applications since it approved the concept of social districts last year.

But that’s about to change. The first social district application is expected to be submitted to city council next week from Plaza Midwood, said Phillip Gussman, Plaza Midwood Merchants Association board member.

And 10 businesses had preliminary meetings with the city, said Lawrence Corley III, the city’s media relations manager. The city’s social district application process takes a minimum of four to six months, according to its social districts standards guide.

Bars and restaurants must provide social district labeled cups under state law, like the one seen here in the Kannapolis district.
Bars and restaurants must provide social district labeled cups under state law, like the one seen here in the Kannapolis district.

Plaza Midwood social district

Plaza Midwood has been working on its application since city council approved the ordinance, Gussman said.

To apply, businesses need to gauge the interest of neighboring property owners before determining the proposed social district’s boundaries, which requires at least two businesses to be involved.

The city establishes regulations to maintain control over the area. Alcohol must be served in specially marked cups and the predetermined boundary of the district must be marked with signs, according to the state law.

No businesses in Plaza Midwood are officially signed on for a social district yet, Gussman said. But the association has been in contact with several bars and and restaurants within the proposed area, and expects many bars, restaurants and retailers to participate in the social district.

The proposed district would run from Morningside Drive down Central Avenue to the Five Points area, Gussman said.

The permitting process will not be complete for another couple of months, Gussman said. There will be a public hearing with city council next month. A month later, city council will vote on whether to grant Plaza Midwood’s application.

Social districts are set up with clear signs along streets and parks in defined areas, according to state law. That includes this ones outside of Old Armor Brewing in Kannapolis.
Social districts are set up with clear signs along streets and parks in defined areas, according to state law. That includes this ones outside of Old Armor Brewing in Kannapolis.

All criteria needed for a social district will be met by the time city council votes, according to Gussman.

The Plaza Midwood social district plans to feature a sustainable social district cup — a specially marked cup each business must use to serve alcohol.

Plaza Midwood will use 16-ounce stainless steel cups, Gussman said. The cups will cost $5, and will be reusable, allowing people to take their cup home, wash it and bring it back for next time they go to the social district.

Waste has been a concern in Huntersville’s first social district. The Birkdale Village social district currently has plastic cups, but plans on stopping the use of plastic in the district.

Who will apply in Charlotte for a social district?

Angry Ale’s and Brazwell’s in South End, and The Goodyear House in NoDa had pre-application meetings, according to the city of Charlotte. The Plaza Midwood Merchants Association, Charlotte Center City Partners and real estate developer Crescent Communities also had meetings with the city.

Charlotte Center City Partners is focused on the economic development potential for social districts across uptown and South End, said Rick Thurmond, the group’s chief marketing office. “We are in the planning and community engagement phase,” he said.

Angry Ale in South End had a pre-application meeting with the city regarding a social district in the area.
Angry Ale in South End had a pre-application meeting with the city regarding a social district in the area.

Social districts could be good for tourism but also causes concerns for some.

“For people coming to visit the city to be able to hop around from one bar to another would be great,” Lucia Zats, director of events at Charlotte Food and Beverage Social Club said. “But I could also see it getting really rowdy and chaotic if it gets out of control.”

NC Social Districts

Social districts must register with the ABC Commission, and are approved at the local level.

As of July 20, the social districts registered in North Carolina are in: Albemarle; Asheboro; Cary; Durham; Elkin; Elon; Fayetteville; Garner; Gastonia; Greensboro (two: downtown and South Street); Greenville; Huntersville; Kannapolis; and Lenoir.

Also, Madison; Monroe; Newton; North Wilkesboro; Norwood; Oxford; Pilot Mountain; Raleigh; Salisbury; Selma; Statesville; Tarboro; Thomasville; Wendell; Whiteville; Wilson; and Youngsville.

Birkdale Village social district

Huntersville’s Birkdale Village social district was established by Huntersville last summer.

The district has eight restaurants participating, said Maureen Smith, marketing manager of Birkdale Village. Multiple businesses have already let Smith’s team know they plan on participating in the Birkdale district. She hopes to have around 14 at the start of next year.

The Birkdale Village social district was established last year. Huntersville may add another social district in downtown.
The Birkdale Village social district was established last year. Huntersville may add another social district in downtown.

The district management office puts signs on the doors of participating businesses indicating which are part of the social district.

At first, the district was a learning experience for Birkdale Village. Smith’s staff held meetings with customers and restaurants to go over social district rules and regulations.

The next phase of the social district in Birkdale Village is replacing the plastic cups with a sustainable alternative, Smith said.

Another social district in Huntersville?

Huntersville Town Commissioner Amber Kovacs suggested establishing a second social district in downtown during an Aug. 7 meeting. Kovacs said she wants to bring the idea of another district to the board after the success in Birkdale.

The Birkdale Village district has not caused problems and the businesses are aware of the risk to their state ABC license if rules are broken, Huntersville Police Chief Barry Graham said. His office has not gotten complaints about the district.

Smith’s advice to others planning to apply for a social district are to be well-versed in the rules and regulations. She suggests having a management office on-site, similar to Birkdale Village.

“Everything’s in place to protect the participants and social districts,” she said.

Reporter Catherine Muccigrosso contributed to this report