NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A new law changes the state’s alcohol regulations to allow cities and towns across the state to designate certain areas where outdoor drinking is permitted.
Visitors could carry and consume alcohol on the streets and sidewalks of what’s known as entertainment districts permanently or on a temporary basis, such as an event or festival, if the local government passes an ordinance.
The North Little Rock mayor said this issue has come up for years in his city, and he plans to move forward cautiously.
“We don’t want to turn our downtown entertainment district into Bourbon Street for sure,” said Mayor Joe Smith. “But we’re going to look at our options to try to figure out what’s going to enhance the experience of coming to our entertainment district.”
According to the Associated Press, Texarkana and several other cities are also considering the new law.