Bourbon Street, New Orleans

When it comes to drinking in public, the rules haven’t always been the way they are today.
But in cities like New Orleans, Louisiana, the laws regarding drinking in public have remained very different than they currently are throughout the majority of North America.

It’s not uncommon to see someone walking down the street in New Orleans with a drink in hand, and it’s a policy most local residents hold near and dear to their hearts. Although New Orleans is perhaps the most recognized destination with an open alcohol policy, it’s not the only place where you can take your beer to-go.

A small number of other cities across the U.S. like Butte, Montana and Erie, Pennsylvania also allow open alcohol to be carried through most of the city. More and more cities are looking to get on board with the trend moving forward, in an effort to boost local economies. However, not too long ago it was actually legal to drink in public throughout most of the U.S.

It wasn’t until the 1970s that countries and cities began to outlaw public drinking due to it’s association with rowdy and disruptive behaviour. Meanwhile, this wasn’t the case in New Orleans where the 1960s saw the rise of “window hawking”, when clubs would sell alcohol in to-go cups through a window. Residents of the city claim the overall atmosphere is more open and friendly because drinking in public is allowed.

As for places like Erie, Pennsylvania, the open alcohol policy has reinvigorated the community. Businesses depend on the alcohol sales to help support the local economy, and public drinking laws are imperative to the success of local festivals and street parties that stimulate the economy during the summer by increasing Erie’s popularity as a tourist destination.

What are your thoughts on drinking alcohol in public? Would it cause too much of an increase in drunk and disorderly behaviour, or could it be a viable source of economic development? Read more>>>