Concord’s social drinking district opens this week. Here’s what to know before you go

You’re now able to sip and stroll in downtown Concord.

Along with Plaza Midwood, Huntersville and Davidson, the city now has a designated social district downtown where you can legally enjoy open, to-go containers of alcohol sold by participating businesses and restaurants in a specific area.

City council leaders unanimously approved the new social district back in February, and it will go into effect on Thursday, Aug. 1.

Here’s what to know about Concord’s new social district

What part of Concord will the social district be in?

The social district will include portions of Church Street, City Place, Market Street, McCachern Boulevard, Spring Street and Union Street. It excludes City Hall, the courthouse, government center and Memorial Garden under the approved ordinance.

What hours will the social district be open?

Once launched, you can walk through the social district with alcohol from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week.

Which Concord businesses are part of the new social district?

You can enjoy alcoholic drinks on sidewalks and in participating businesses within the district — as long as it’s in a designated Social District cup.

Here’s a list of participating businesses where drinks are sold:

• 2 Gal’s Kitchen

• Benny DaCorsa’s Pizza

• Cabo Winery

• Chocolatier Barruncand Inc.

• Havana Carolina

• Hawthorne’s Pizza Concord

• Lil Robert’s Place

• Local Bottle Shop

• Mac Tabby Cat Café

• Press & Porter

• Streakers

Here is a list of participating businesses where drinks are welcome:

• The Bead Lady

• Budget Blinds

• Cellar Door Wine Shop

• Goldberry Books

• Hummingbird Jamaican Restaurant

• Market 94

• Market Street Barbers

• Not Just Franks

• ShoeBeeDo

• The Enchanted Kitchen

• The Lenz Studio

• The Palmetto Market

Can I bring my own alcohol to drink in the social district?

Those 21 and up are not allowed to bring outside drinks into the social district.

“Alcohol purchased from a non-participating business is NOT allowed to be taken outside their defined sidewalk dining area,” the City of Concord website says.

“Alcohol purchased from a participating bar or restaurant with a ‘Drinks Sold Here’ sign may NOT be brought into another participating bar or restaurant.”

Look out for the special social district window stickers to see which businesses near the area sell or welcome drinks.

Chyna Blackmon

The Charlotte Observer

Chyna Blackmon was a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription