Recent changes in North Carolina law allow a special event located within a social district to receive a permit for the sale of alcohol within their event area from the ABC Commission. ABC Commission staff have indicated to the City that a special event permittee may participate in a social district if the requirements under North Carolina law to do so are followed, including allowing beverages with social district cups to be carried from and into the special event area. Participation in the social district is at the special event holder’s discretion.
Event organizers will have the choice to allow social district beverages within their event footprint or not. Our office will educate event organizers and determine their preference. Businesses within the social district will receive event notifications and whether portions of the social district will be impacted by special events with or without alcohol.