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Durham preps for 'The Bullpen,' new social district allowing for alcohol to-go

Downtown Durham's newly-created social district known as "The Bullpen" is set to start Dec. 1.

Posted Updated

By
Mark Bergin
, WRAL senior multiplatform producer
DURHAM, N.C. — The city of Durham’s new social district is set to take effect next week.

“The Bullpen” is set to take effect Thursday, Dec. 1. It will allow for people to drink beer, wine or cocktails from participating businesses within the newly-created downtown social district from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days per week.

The boundaries of the social district include nearly all of downtown Durham.

The social district would run seven days a week, from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.
In October, the Durham City Council voted unanimously to create the downtown social district as a way to stimulate downtown businesses

The city of Durham is set to enforce violations with a noncriminal infraction punishable by a fine up to $100, according to the ordinance.

Participation in the social district is voluntary. No business located in the social district is required to participate. Both the permittee and non-permittee businesses that participate in the district must have a sign indicating their participation in the district.

The ordinance states businesses can be punished with civil penalties of $250 per day, maxing out at $2,000.

Several North Carolina municipalities have adopted social districts within the last year. Raleigh’s social district began in August.
In September 2021, North Carolina lawmakers passed a law allowing cities and towns to create social districts.

Cary leaders to consider social district for Downtown Cary Park

Cary leaders are set to vote next month on whether to implement a social district, which would allow people to freely drink beer or wine in a designated area within the newly built Downtown Cary Park.

The Cary Town Council is set to vote on the proposal at its Dec. 15 meeting.

The proposal calls to create the social district for the Downtown Cary Park, including nearby businesses. It would allow for beer and wine between the hours of 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. The proposed social district would take effect June 1, 2023, if approved by the Cary Town Council.

The proposed social district would not include the Cary Regional Library, the parking deck or private events that wish to opt out of the district.

Downtown Cary Park, which is located at 319 South Academy St., is set to open in summer 2023.

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