Topline:
The Santa Monica City Council is slated to vote Tuesday on whether to allow people on the pedestrianized Third Street Promenade to sip on an alcoholic beverage — en plein air.
The backstory: The Third Street Promenade could become one of the first “Entertainment Zones” in California outside of San Francisco to allow outdoor consumption of alcohol in public spaces, Las Vegas-style, thanks to a law passed last year. The idea is to stimulate the local economy and bring more foot traffic to business areas that have seen fewer patrons since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some rules: The ordinance would prevent people bringing their drinks inside retail businesses or other restaurants on the Promenade. No BYOB allowed either.
When it could launch: If passed, the ordinance would “take immediate effect” as long as local authorities have the proper signage and safety training for businesses in place, according to a staff report. The report added that the city anticipates an Entertainment Zone launch event coinciding with Pride on the Promenade on June 21.
The Santa Monica City Council is slated to vote Tuesday on whether to allow people on the pedestrianized Third Street Promenade to sip on an alcoholic beverage — en plein air.
The Third Street Promenade could become one of the first “Entertainment Zones” in California outside of San Francisco to allow outdoor consumption of alcohol in public spaces, Las Vegas-style, thanks to a law passed last year.
The idea is to stimulate the local economy and bring more foot traffic to business areas that have seen fewer patrons since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Andrew Thomas, CEO of Downtown Santa Monica, Inc., a nonprofit that promotes economic growth, told LAist that Promenade visitors won’t be able to sip on their gin and tonic in the Apple store. But he still thinks the ordinance will be a boost for retail businesses as well.
“If people look at this as an area where they can come and enjoy themselves, that’ll lead to longer dwell times on the street... and shopping more,” Thomas said.
What the Santa Monica ordinance would do
- Allow consumption of alcoholic beverages on public streets, sidewalks and public rights-of-way on Third Street between Wilshire Boulevard and Broadway.
- Restrict drinking only to booze purchased at licensed Entertainment Zone vendors. No BYOB and no metal or glass containers.
- Prevent people bringing their drinks inside retail businesses or other restaurants on the Promenade. Sorry, no cocktails in the Apple store.
- Allow outdoor consumption in the Entertainment Zone seven days a week, between 8 a.m. - 2 a.m., as long as at least one licensed vendor permitted to sell alcoholic beverages is open during those hours. According to a city report, six businesses that currently have permits advertise hours past 10 p.m. on weekends.
When it could launch
If passed, the ordinance would “take immediate effect” as long as local authorities have the proper signage and safety training for businesses in place, according to a staff report.
The report added that the city anticipates an Entertainment Zone launch event coinciding with Pride on the Promenade on June 21.
