Picture this. You’re leaving a restaurant or bar downtown and sippin’ on an alcoholic beverage you took to-go. That is currently illegal in Lakeland, but have you ever noticed that you can walk around places like New Orleans or the historic district of Savannah with a beverage in hand?
While proposing their new pedal-powered party tram-style-concept, Swan Pedal Co. brought up this concept in a recent city commission meeting.
Open container laws vary from state to state, and with special ordinances, some cities allow patrons to hop from one location to another and explore all that an area has to offer with an alcoholic drink.
But, what would it look like if Lakeland had a similar ordinance?
Here is what other cities are doing:
📍 Las Vegas allows walking around the Strip with boozy beverages.
📍 Chattanooga has allowed for open containers since 2017 on Station Street, which coincidentally happens to be in the prime nightlife area. All drinks must be in a clearly marked plastic container + once someone leaves the area, the rule no longer applies.
📍 Virginia also has a law that allows patrons to leave a restaurant carrying an alcoholic beverage, and walk with it into another establishment (just not another restaurant) during licensed events and in designated areas.
So, what do you think, Lakeland? If we could have an open container avenue in the area, where would it be?