Downtown Pilot Mountain Social District
Downtown Pilot Mountain- Social District
In an effort to increase economic activity and vibrancy in the Town of Pilot Mountain’s downtown area, the Board of Commissioners during its August 2022 meeting approved the creation of the Downtown Pilot Mountain Social District.
Social districts allow people to drink beer, wine, or cocktails as they walk through a defined area of downtown Pilot Mountain.
The social district will operate Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Social districts have been implemented in various towns and cities across the state since the North Carolina General Assembly enacted legislation in 2022 allowing municipalities to designate areas where open containers of alcoholic beverages purchased from a licensed ABC permitee can be consumed outdoors, on sidewalks, and on the property of participating businesses that do not have an ABC permit.
Social District Boundaries
Alcoholic beverages must remain inside the Social District boundaries.
A Map of the social district is included below.
Participating and Non-Participating Locations
Businesses located within a social district boundary have the option to participate in the social district. Interested businesses can submit this form to identify whether they want to opt-in or opt-out of the district. PARTICIPATION FORM
Participating businesses (ABC permitee and non-permitee) must display signage indicating their level of participation. The appropriate signage will be given to the business once the business has indicated their participation preference. A sample of the signage is included below.
Social District Requirements
The social district must meet the following requirements under North Carolina law:
- An alcoholic beverage purchased for consumption in the social district must:
- be consumed in the social district
- be disposed of before exiting the social district unless entering a business within the social district that allows alcoholic beverages to be brought inside the business.
ABC Permitee Requirements
A permitee located and selling alcoholic beverages within the social district must meet the following requirements under North Carolina law:
The permitee must:
- only sell and serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on its licensed premises.
- only sell alcoholic beverages for consumption in a container that meets all of the following requirements:
- The container clearly identifies the permitee from which the alcoholic beverage was purchased.
- The container clearly displays a logo or some other kind of mark that is unique to the social district in which it will be consumed.
- The container is not comprised of glass.
- The container displays, in no less than 12-point font, the statement "Drink Responsibly - Be 21."
- The container shall not hold more than 16 fluid ounces.
Patron Requirements
The possession and consumption of an alcoholic beverage in a social district is subject to all of the following requirements of North Carolina law:
- Only alcoholic beverages purchased from a permitee located in the social district may be possessed and consumed.
- Alcoholic beverages must:
only be in designated social district containers
only be possessed and consumed during the days and hours set by the Town:
Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- A single patron cannot be sold or delivered alcoholic beverages in excess of:
Not more than two alcoholic beverage drinks at one time of any of the following:
A malt beverage, unfortified wine, fortified wine
Not more than one alcoholic beverage at one time if an alcoholic beverage drink is a mixed beverage or contains spirituous liquor.
- A person must dispose of any alcoholic beverage before exiting the social district unless entering a business within the social district that allows alcoholic beverages to be brought inside the business.
Special Events
North Carolina law allows a special event located within a social district to receive a permit from the ABC Commission for the sale of alcohol within the event area. The special event permitee may also participate in a social district if the requirements under North Carolina law to do so are followed, including allowing beverages with social district cups to be carried from and into the special event area.
Participation in the social district is at the special event holder's discretion. Event organizers will have the choice to allow social district beverages within their event footprint or not.
The Town of Pilot Mountain’s Downtown Events Coordinator can work with event organizers to determine their preference.
Have some thoughts on how we can improve the social district, provide your feedback here!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a convenience store sell alcoholic beverages to-go as part of the social district?
No. Participating locations must have an ABC permit for on-site consumption as outlined in NCGS 18B-904.1(a).
Can I bring my own alcoholic beverage into a social district?
No. Alcoholic beverages must be sold by a permitee located within the social district. No personal beer, wine, or liquor can be brought into the social district.
Can I take an alcoholic beverage in my social district cup home with me?
No. Cups should be disposed of in a nearby recycling receptacle prior to exiting the social district.
Can I take my alcoholic beverage into a vehicle within the social district?
No. No person shall possess an alcoholic beverage while driving a vehicle, including bicycles and scooters. Open containers of alcohol are also prohibited in the passenger area of any vehicle while on the right-of-way within a social district.
How can participating businesses be identified?
Participating businesses will have window clings displayed to identify that they have opted into the social district.
How does a business opt-in to the social district?
Businesses can submit this form to identify whether they want to opt-in or opt-out of the social district. PARTICIPATION FORM
How many alcoholic drinks can I purchase at one time in a social district?
A single patron cannot be sold or delivered more than two alcoholic beverage drinks at one time of beer or wine and more than one alcoholic beverage at one time of a drink containing liquor.
How will the social district be enforced?
Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) and local law enforcement have jurisdiction over the social district.
How will the social district boundaries be marked?
Signage will be placed at the boundaries of the Town's social district. Alcohol is not permitted outside beyond the social district boundaries.
What are the days and hours of operation for the social district?
The Social District will operate Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
What cups will be used for the social district?
Establishments will be required to purchase their own cups that meet the statutory requirements if they choose to participate in the social district. The Town will provide the necessary graphics to be printed on the cups. Requirements of a social district cup are:
Container shall not hold more than 16 fluid ounces and is not comprised of glass
Container clearly identifies the permitee from which the alcoholic beverage was purchased
Container clearly displays a logo (provided by the Town) that is unique to the social district in which it will be consumed
Container displays, in no less than 12-point font, the statement "Drink Responsibly - Be 21" (To be included in the logo provided by the Town)
What happens if I leave the social district boundaries with an alcoholic beverage?
Individuals who leave the social district with an alcoholic beverage can be criminally charged.
What if I am a retailer, and I do not want alcohol inside of my business?
All businesses located within the social district have the option to opt-out of the district. Signage indicating whether you are a participant in the social district or not will be provided by the Town.
What is a social district?
A social district is a defined outdoor area where alcoholic beverages, sold by an establishment licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption, may be consumed.
