Open Container Ordinance Extended In Decatur

DECATUR, GA — If you've been enjoying walking around the streets of Decatur Square with a glass of wine or a cold beer in hand, you'll be able to enjoy this perk at least through the end of the year.

The city's open container ordinance — originally adopted in October 2020 as a means of helping local restaurants offer alternate dining and drinking options during the COVID-19 pandemic and extended in April— expired Sept. 7, but city commissioners voted to extend it a second time until Jan. 3, 2022 at Tuesday's Decatur City Commission meeting.

The ordinance applies to the city's five commercial districts: Downtown Decatur Business District; East College Business District; Oakhurst Business District; Old Depot District; and West Ponce Business District. Open container alcohol sales are allowed Fridays from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. and Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Restaurants have to pour the alcohol into approved single-use, recyclable plastic cups — a change from the previously-used reusable plastic cup — to sell to patrons, who also get a wristband to wear while drinking outside. Downtown Program Manager Shirley Baylis said the change was due to a manufacturing issue, but now there will be different options for different drinks.

City staff is working on a draft ordinance to make this open container law permanent, and potentially add Sunday open container hours, Baylis and City Manager Andrea Arnold said. The goal is to get the permanent ordinance to the City Commission before the temporary one ends in January.

Read more: Drink Up: Decatur Extends Open Container Law Until September