Although New bern does not currently have a SOCIAL DISTRICT, SOCIAL DISTRICTS ARE successfully OPENING THROUGHOUT NC. THIS SITE IS INTENDED TO BE JUST ONE SOURCE That PROVIDEs accurate INFORMATION ABOUT SOCIAL DISTRICTS.
What is a Social District?
A social district is a specific area in which alcoholic beverages are allowed to be carried in designated containers on the street. The League of Municipalities recently provided a guidance document on on the Updated House Bill 211 (SL2022-49) Social Distirict Law which you can read here.
How IS a Social District CREATED?
The way the law is written, the following must be addressed to create a social district:
1. A geographic zone must be established and a map of that zone must be filed with the ABC.
2. Special cups must be used that say “Must be 21-please drink responsibly”. Additionally, the cup must identify the social district and the name of the business in which it was sold.
3. The zone must be clearly marked and delineated with visible markings and/or signs.
4. Sanitation, safety and public health must be considered and adequately addressed.
5. The district map, hours of operation, and days of operation are currently under discussion between the task force and city staff. The resulting agreement will go to the Board of Aldermen for a vote.
6. Businesses that do not serve alcohol may choose to opt out of allowing beverages in their store.
IS YOUR Downtown a GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A Social District? if the answers are yes, YOUR DOWNTOWN MAY BE ready for a social district.
1. Is there a walkable "social" area?
2. Are there multiple social venues? (e.g. restaurants, pubs, breweries, cafes, galleries, theatre, experience shopping, etc.)
3. Is there a significant number of special events?
4. Do a significant number of visitors and tourists come to Downtown?
5. Is there a 'beer and wine' culture in Downtown?
What are the benefits of having a Social District?
1. Increased tourism.
2. A Social District offers a broad social and cultural experience for residents and visitors.
3. Opportunity for increased tourism as a ‘Destination Downtown.’
4. Opportunity for businesses and non-profits to hold events, such as Art Walk, festivals, crawls and many others.
5. Opportunity for increased dollars spent in stores and eateries as people stay longer to shop, dine and enjoy New Bern.
6. Opportunity for existing AND new bars, non-bars and restaurants to increase revenue streams by serving “to-go” drinks.
7. Opportunity to encourage business growth with new businesses seeking to participate in this economic opportunity.
8. Anecdotally, people drink more responsibly if they are mobile rather than stationary.
What are the main concerns?
1. Drinking-related issues, such as underage consumption, public drunkenness, drunk driving, and general irresponsible behavior.
2. People illegally bringing or consuming alcohol that has not been purchased in the social district.
3. Litter or waste increase.
4. Conflicting events within the Social District boundaries.
What has been the experience of other cities with implemented social districts?
1. There are currently social districts in many states, including: Mississippi, Alabama, Ohio, Louisiana, Georgia, Oregon, Missouri, Nevada, Florida, New Jersey, Michigan and North Carolina.
2. Most cities have reported minimal to no increase in crime, 911 calls, destruction of property, or hospitalizations.
3. Almost every district reports drastic increases in both tax and merchant revenue.
4. Most social districts conducted trial periods, then continued to grow their districts and increase days/hours of operation, because social districts have proven to be successful and without measurable increased legal incidents.
NC Social District News:
1. Norwood Town Council Approves Social District
2. Kannapolis Creates New Social District
3. Information About Downtown Greensboro's Social District
4. Downtown Greensboro New Social District Lets You Sip Your Adult Beverage AND Stroll The City
5. Sylva Considers Creating Social Districts
6. Social District Seen as Economic Boost for Downtown (Washington, NC, August 9, 2022)
7. N.W. 'Social District' being Considered (North Wilkseboro, August 3, 2022)
8. Greenville City Council Approves Social Districts
9. Sylva Social District a Hit During Six Month Trial Period (September 15)
10. City Council Approves New Ordinance Allowing Social Districts (Charlotte, August 22, 2022)
11. Huntersville Social District (June, 2022)
12. Washington City Council Votes to Request Approval for Social Districts (WITN, October 10,2022)
13. Greenville City Council Makes Changes to Social District (WCTI, January 10, 2023)
14. Edenton Approves Social District for Downtown Area (WITN, August 9, 2023)
Nationwide Social District News:
1. Social District In Downtown Muskegon Could Expand After Successful Year
2. St. Joseph To Expand Social District Next Year
NC towns/cities that have approved a social district(s). This list will be updated periodically. Last updated 9/29/2023.
Albermarle
Asheboro
Cary
Charlotte
Cornelius
Davidson
Edenton
Elkin
Elon
Fayetteville
Franklinton
Garner
Gastonia
Greensboro - x2
Greenville
Hickory
High Point
Huntersville
Kannapolis
Lake Norman
Laurinburg
Lenoir
Newton
Madison
Manteo
Marion
Monroe
Mooresville
Mount Airy
Newton
Norwood
Oxford
Pilot Mountain
Raleigh - expanded
Rutherfordton
Salisbury
Selma
Statesville
Sylva
Tarboro
Washington
Wendell
Whiteville
Wilson
Youngsville
History of Bring Business Back to Downtown – Bills 890 and 781
This bill was first proposed in May of 2021, sponsored by Timothy Moffat from District 117, Hendersonville and then later co-sponsored by Rep. Steve Tyson of District 3, Craven.
It became a bipartisan bill as it moved through committee and was redrafted. The Senate passed House Bill 890 on a 35-7 vote, sending it back to the House for a final vote. There, House members had no debate at all before voting 95-8 in favor of the bill, sending it to Gov. Roy Cooper who signed it into law.
The bill made a number of changes regarding alcohol in NC, but according to sponsors of the bill, the attractive feature of this bill is that it allows for the creation of social districts as an Economic Vitality booster. It will help “small businesses” who suffered most from Covid-19, as well as help to re-invigorate downtowns with increased tourism.
Special thank you to Downtown Salisbury, Inc., Main Street program for Salsibury, NC for providing much of this information, as well as the NCDDA (North Carolina Downtown Development Association).