One silver lining that came from the pandemic is a thing called , a concept in which a portion of a city鈥檚 downtown area allows open carry of alcohol from participating businesses in certain zones. These districts were created by municipalities when local bars and restaurants lost business due to lockdown restrictions.
Basically, it was, 鈥淲e can鈥檛 let you in, but we鈥檒l allow you to take a drink to-go and drink nearby.鈥 They proved to be so popular that many social districts are still going strong. Here are nine of them.
Mount Clemens
The Oasis, Mount Clemens鈥 social district, can be enjoyed by those 21 & over daily from 10 a.m. until 11 p.m. Businesses that are currently participating include Abbibo, Cellar 104, Gumbo鈥檚, and New Age Noodles. The social district stretches between Gratiot Ave. and Main St. from Cass to Welts Sts. Those participating are encouraged to stay in the zone and throw away cups after use. .
Grosse Pointe Park
Grosse Pointe Park opened its social district in August 2020. The district鈥檚 boundaries are on Kercheval Ave. starting at the alley between Alter Road and Wayburn St. to Nottingham St. and continuing on Charlevoix Ave. There are two common areas within the social district, which is open from 5-10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 5-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Participating businesses include Atwater Brewery, The Brick鈥檚 Pizzeria, Cellar 313, The Charlevoix, Red Crown, and O鈥橣laherty鈥檚. .
Ferndale
Downtown Ferndale鈥檚 Patio Zone is open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. The Patio Zone stretches down Woodward Ave. between Lewiston and Saratoga Sts., with sidewalks through Nine Mile Road and Vester Ave., as well. The list of participating businesses is extensive, and includes Bobcat Bonnie鈥檚, One Eyed Betty鈥檚, The Rust Belt Market, Woodward Avenue Brewers, Mezcal, and plenty more. Look out for teal and orange signs that mark the Patio Zone鈥檚 boundaries. .
St. Clair Shores
Greater Mack Ave. will be closed between Nine Mile Road to Mack Ave. and Cavalier Drive from 5 p.m. to midnight on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from May until October. The social district of St. Clair Shores offers various activities including live music, food trucks, yard games, and more. The four currently participating venues are Copper Hop Brewing Company, Shores Inn, Firehouse Pub, and Cache Cocktail & Wine Bar. .
Royal Oak
From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, Royal Oak鈥檚 social district is up and running. The social district spans down Main St. and through intersections from Lincoln to Eleven Mile Road. A total of 18 businesses in the district are currently participating including favorites like Bar Louie, HopCat, North End Taproom, Pronto, Smoky鈥檚 Cigar Bar, and The Royal Oak Brewery. .
Oak Park
The Water Tower Social District in Oak Park is open Monday-Saturday from noon until 10 p.m. and Sunday from noon until 6 p.m. The Water Tower Social District is located between Tyler and Tulare Sts. on 11 Mile Road, near the Water Tower (hence the name). This social district is planning to expand in the coming months, but its current participating businesses include Oak Park Social, Dog and Pony Show, and more. .
Clawson
This social district鈥檚 boundaries are at the intersection of 14 Mile Road and Main St. in downtown Clawson. Participating businesses include Three Cats, Mojave Cantina, Whiskey Taco Foxtrot, Old Detroit Burger Bar, Weiss Distillery, Tavern on Main, Grand River Brewery, Gus鈥檚 Snug Irish Pub, and Renshaw Lounge. .
Farmington
The Syndicate, Farmington鈥檚 social district, is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The boundaries of The Syndicate stretch down Grand River Ave. between Farmington Road and Orchard Court. Participating Syndicate establishments include Farmington Brewing Company, Sidecar Slider Bar, Basement Burger Bar, 1 Up Arcade Bar, Masa, Mi Mosa, Los Tres Amigos, and Loft Cigar Lounge. .
Novi
The Twelve Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk, Novi鈥檚 social district, is open Sunday-Thursday from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 10 a.m. until midnight. Participating businesses include Bar Louie, BATL, Beerhead Bar & Eatery, Black Rock Bar & Grill, Buddy鈥檚 Pizza, Emagine Theatre, Ford鈥檚 Garage, and The Hub Stadium. .
This story appeared in the August 2024 issue of 黑料网 Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of 黑料网 Detroit at a local retail outlet. Our will be available on Aug. 6.
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