4 days ago
Petoskey City Council expands downtown social district hours
PETOSKEY — The Petoskey City Council passed a resolution during their Monday, July 7 meeting to extend the social district's hours and service area.
Downtown Manager Amy Tweeten noted that new businesses have come to the city and popular events, like Movies in the Park at Dark, mean people are walking around downtown later in the evening.
More: Summer concerts, movies return to Petoskey's Pennsylvania Park in July
The downtown's social district allows people to open carry alcohol in designated cups — sold at approved bars and restaurants — that can be carried on the sidewalks and in alleys within the approved district boundaries. People are not legally allowed to drink on the streets or in crosswalks, but may resume alcohol consumption once on the sidewalks.
Social district drinks can be purchased from Beards Brewery, City Park Grill, the Crooked Tree Arts Center (during events only), Duffy's Garage and Grill, Malted Vinyl, Palette Bistro, High Five Spirits, Tap 30, Leto's Osteria and the Perry Hotel.
The social district only allows for drinks in the designated and labeled cups. People cannot freely carry a can of beer they brought themselves, for example.
Previously, the drinks could be purchased from 12-9 p.m. Under the new hours, drinks can be carried in the district from 12-10 p.m. daily, allowing a little more flexibility for summer hours with later sunsets and later events. The hours will be in effect year-round.
More: Perry Hotel looking to join Petoskey's social district for alcohol sales
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The motion passed with a 3-2 vote, with council members Lindsay Walker, Derek Shiels and Joe Nachtrab voting in support, and council member Tine DeMoore and Mayor John Murphy voting against.
"I'll vote for this, but I'm not real happy that we continue to push alcohol, especially at family events such as in the parks," Murphy said. "We have enough alcoholism, I think. We have bars, multiple, multiple bars people can go in and drink."
— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@ Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @KarlyGrahamJrn.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Petoskey City Council expands downtown social district hours for alcohol purchases
