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Culver City is latest to consider public drinking area for its downtown
The Culver City Car Show is one of several "special events" where an entertainment zone will be active.
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Allen J. Schaben
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Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
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Culver City to become latest city to allow public drinking areas in downtown
Adding to a handful of other local entertainment zones, it would be active during special city events.
The Culver City Council has passed a motion to consider creating an "entertainment zone" for its downtown.
Once implemented, it would be the third city in Southern California with a designated area where people can walk around and consume alcohol outside during designated special events.
In May, Santa Monica became the first city in L.A. County to adopt an “entertainment zone” in accordance with California SB 969, which passed in 2024. Long Beach followed suit in August. West Hollywood voted to study the creation of something similar in September.
And now, Culver City wants to be part of a growing trend to boost economic activity and compete with attractions in surrounding cities.
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"Century City, Hollywood, Downtown LA ...we're competing with the whole city," Culver City Mayor Dan O’Brien told LAist. "So giving yet another reason for Angelenos to come to Culver City and have a nice night out and enjoy our special events. I think we need to grab it."
A statue in the middle of the proposed entertainment zone.
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Daniel Martinez
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LAist
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What’s the occasion?
“It’s going to be for our special events only,” O’Brien said. “Certainly during the World Cup and throughout the Olympics.”
Other city events listed in the motion include the Summer Concert Series, Independence Day Drone Show and the downtown Tree Lighting ceremony scheduled for Dec. 4.
“ That would be an ideal opportunity to activate for the entertainment zone,” O’Brien said. “But I do not know if we will have everything in place to do so by then.”
Where would it be?
The current entertainment zone proposal encompasses the Downtown Culver City Business Improvement District — of about eight to 10 blocks long and three blocks wide, O'Brien said.
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That includes Culver Boulevard between Madison Avenue and Venice Boulevard — and Washington Boulevard between Hughes Avenue and Culver Boulevard. It would also include side streets up to the city boundary.
The Downtown Business Association, which is behind the proposal, is requesting the area that includes the Town Plaza, the Culver Steps and Main Street to be part of the new zone.
The proposed boundaries for the Culver City entertainment zone would span a quarter of a mile.
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City of Culver City
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Culver City Council
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What’s next?
The Culver City Council will now need to pass an ordinance approving a plan with information about the exact boundaries of the entertainment zone, its hours of operations and specific events for which they'll be active.
A date for the next vote hasn’t been set.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
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