The Grand Rapids City Commission voted to expand the downtown social district to include five areas around the Acrisure Amphitheater being built in the 200 block of Market Avenue Southwest.
Downtown residents and visitors are now able to purchase to-go beer, wine, and cocktails from businesses within the social district and drink them on the sidewalks by the amphitheater. Drinks can only be consumed from designated cups with certified social district stickers on them.
The amphitheater is scheduled to open May 15th.
Drinks can only be consumed within the district Sunday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to midnight.
Social districts were first created in July 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping struggling restaurants and bars that were limiting indoor dining capacity.
According to Downtown Grand Rapids Inc., there are 67 restaurants licensed to participate in the social district.
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