Frequently Asked Questions

According to NC General Statue 18B-300.1, a social district is "a defined area in which a person may consume alcoholic beverages sold by a permittee. A social district may include both indoor and outdoor areas of businesses within or contiguous to the defined area during the days and hours set by the local government..." 

Definition used by the City of Kinston Planning Department: A social district allows one to walk around a designated district with an alcoholic beverage during certain established hours. 

The  days and hours of operation for the Downtown Kinston Social District are as follows:

Monday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

Each business within the district will have conspicuous signage indicating whether they participate (sell or welcome alcoholic beverages) or do not participate in the district. 

No. Outside alcoholic beverages are prohibited inside of the district. District patrons are only allowed to possess alcoholic beverages sold to them by ABC permittees within the district. 

No. District patrons are not allowed to carry their alcoholic beverages outside of district boundaries. Any person found with alcohol outside of the district may be criminally charged.

Yes. Each business within the boundaries of the social district will be given the chance to opt out of the district if they choose not to participate. 

NC legislation recently made Cocktails-To-Go (CTG) legal.  See the image for the difference between CTG and SDD (Social District Drinks).

Feel free to reach out to the City of Kinston's Planning Department with any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the social district. 

The maintenance and management plan for the district is available on this webpage under the DKSD Operations and Maintenance Plan section. That plan answers questions concerning the upkeeping and oversight of the district. For any emergency concerns within the district please contact local law enforcement. 

Proper signage will be posted at the boundaries of the district. Please be mindful that any alcoholic beverage beyond the posted signage delineating the boundaries is prohibited. 

Businesses have an opportunity to complete a form that will give them the option to participate/not participate in the district. This form titled 'Social District Business Interest Form,' is available at the bottom of this webpage. 

No, all participating businesses have window decals stating their status within the social district. If the business does not have a Downtown Kinston Social District window decal, the presence of beverages in that establishment will be up to the business owner.