The District is a portion of downtown Owensboro that allows alcoholic beverages on public property during weekends and certain permitted special events. The District allows patrons at participating businesses to leave the premise with an alcoholic beverage in a specially marked 16 oz. cup.
Alcoholic beverages are only allowed on public property the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. every Friday, and 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday, and during designated special events.
District cups are never permitted inside:
Alcoholic beverages purchased from a business in The District must be consumed within the boundaries of The District. The boundaries of The District are roughly JR Miller on the east side, 5th St. on the south side, Poplar or Elm St. on the west side. Refer to map above.
Alcoholic beverages are only allowed on public property during the hours of 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. every Friday, and 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. every Saturday and Sunday, and during designated special events.
Only on public property. You cannot take your District cup into another business. You will be asked by that business to dispose your cup before entering their property.
Any alcoholic beverage purchased from a participating business in The District is permitted in the cup.
No, only drinks purchased from a participating business in The District are allowed by state law. No cans, glass bottles, or outside drinks are permitted with the boundaries. Anyone with alcohol on public property not purchased from a participating business during The District hours or during a designated special event can be cited and/or arrested.
No. District cups are only permitted for a single use when leaving a downtown business to walk to another location within the District. If you return to that same business or visit another business the same evening, you must dispose of your District cup prior to entering that business.
Note: All State of Kentucky and City of Owensboro laws regarding public intoxication, impaired driving, and open containers apply to areas both inside and outside of The District boundaries. Please drink responsibly.
For more information on the Entertainment Destination Center license allowing alcoholic beverages in downtown Owensboro, please refer to City of Owensboro Ordinance 21 – 2018.