Downtown Statesboro is Open Container!
We’re excited that our downtown has an open container exemption area, and we want to do what we can to make sure everyone enjoys it responsibly and within the guidelines set forth by the city. Please check out the information below.
What are the Rules?
- No glass beverage containers (paper or plastic only)
- The container must be 20 ounces or less
- You must be 21 or older
- Stay off the Bulloch County Courthouse property since it is not a part of the exemption area.
Below you’ll find the following:
- A map of the area, so you won’t accidentally wander too far into the no-go zone.
- An up-to-date list of establishments within the footprint of the exemption area that serve.
- Information about the ordinance for those that want to dig deeper into the legalese of it all.
Open Container Exemption Map
Where to find the borders of the allowed area and the businesses within the footprint. (Click map to enlarge)
The exact boundaries are on the map and listed below, but here are some landmarks to lookout for:
- To the South you should turn back before you pass the Methodist Church.
- To the West don’t wander too far past the Post Office.
- Walking to the North you should stop just beyond the Bulloch County Courthouse.
- To the East you can walk to Eagle Creek Brewery and the Boro Art Park, but not beyond.
Participating Businesses
Where to Partake
Here’s a list of establishments within the footprint of the exemption area. Remember restaurants reserve the right to not allow you to bring in outside beverages from other establishments, so please be respectful of their policies.
City Ordinance details – Section 6-17 K
Downtown open container exemption zone. The restrictions contained herein shall not apply within the area of the city bounded on the north by Courtland Street, Simmons Way, and Proctor Street, on the west by Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, on the south by Bulloch Street between MLK and College and then north along College Avenue with the remainder of the southern boundary being on Cherry Street between College and Mulberry, and on the east by Mulberry under the following conditions:
- Any on premises licensee located within this delineated area may sell alcoholic beverages in a paper or plastic cup for removal from the premises; provided, however, that the alcoholic beverage is not placed in a can, bottle or other glass container and, further provided, that the licensee may dispense no more than one alcoholic beverage per person 21 years of age or older, and no person shall remove more than one alcoholic beverage from the licensed premises; and
- Any alcoholic beverage dispensed pursuant to this section shall not exceed 20 fluid ounces in size and no person shall possess an open container containing an alcoholic beverage unless contained in a plastic or paper cup not to exceed a volume of 20 fluid ounces on the streets, sidewalks or other public places within the area described in this subsection.
- This exemption shall be effective during those hours of operation when by the drink sales in the city are allowed pursuant to subsection 6-7(n) and up to the time allowed for alcohol licensees to clear patrons from their premises as set out in subsection 6-7(o).