Walnut Creek leaders are weighing a proposal that could reshape the downtown scene by allowing people to carry alcoholic drinks outdoors within a designated area. The City Council is reviewing an ordinance to create an “Entertainment Zone,” a concept recently authorized under California law to help cities boost foot traffic and support local businesses.
If approved, the plan would let customers purchase drinks from participating bars and restaurants and enjoy them while walking through a defined section of downtown. The program would come with strict rules, including wristbands to verify age, limits on where drinks can be carried, and requirements that beverages be served in non-glass containers. City officials say the structure is designed to create a more lively, social atmosphere while maintaining safety and control.
The proposal is being framed as an economic development tool, with officials pointing to similar programs in other California cities that have helped increase activity and sales for local businesses. Walnut Creek staff said they have coordinated with police and other departments and do not anticipate major issues, though the program would be closely monitored and adjusted if needed.
The ordinance is still in its early stages, and additional details—including a formal management plan and final boundaries—would come back to the council for approval. If adopted, Walnut Creek would join a growing number of cities embracing more flexible, open-air downtown experiences, potentially giving residents and visitors a new way to enjoy the city’s restaurants and nightlife.
“…wristbands to verify age” . . . . . Which will be counterfeited.
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Let’s see, hot summer night, persons taking sexual advantage of intoxicated
women in an ill lite area. Public health concerns, urination, defecation and
vomit. An don’t forget alcohol fueled bravado created assaults.
Then there’s campaign contributions . . . . . . .
.
Citizens of Walnut Creek does city creating this “zone” open city up for multi
million dollar lawsuits from victims of assault and rape because city did not
providing enough security ? ? Could get really expensive for the city.
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Perhaps city staff didn’t give enough consideration to downsides . . . . .
What could go wrong?
Everything and it will! Drinking out in public always leads to the issues mentioned by others posting that this is an insanely DUMB idea. Who is even sponsoring this idiocy!?!
15 minute city…step one.
What could go wrong?
“…..Walnut Creek would join a growing number of cities embracing more flexible, open-air downtown experiences, potentially giving residents and visitors a new way to enjoy the city’s restaurants and nightlife. ”
Hmmmmm….. Is WC going to be a guinea pig? What about the “growing number” of other unnamed California cities cited who are “embracing” this new arrangement? For how long have they been “enjoying” this experience? Can’t be for too long, since the Entertainment Zone law only took effect January 1, 2025. What are those other cities’ populations and demographics? Have they experienced a rise in crime? Arrests? D&D’s? The data may be way too new and incomplete – not enough time for a track record.
Aren’t they really proposing a form of barhopping with “rules” and “wristbands” and “not anticipating major issues.” Why, in 2026 would they NOT anticipate major issues? Walnut Creek is not Hamburg. Also, what about people who want to party and meet up, who bring their own alcohol, possibly in glass, and, uh, substances?
It wasn’t that long ago that the local police had to round up quite a number of people who had gotten crashy-grabby in a large store. Let’s encourage patronage of local businesses: but other than bars and clubs, which local business are really going to be eager to open their doors at night to folks walking around with open containers? Consider the welfare of all citizens – the “increased foot traffic” that WC apparently hopes to create may not be exactly what they had in mind.
Great! What could possibly go wrong?
In other words, a liquor tax.
The increase in violence and drunk driving will be more than offset by the additional revenue generated by stimulating visits from hooligans from outside the area.
And this from the group that is afraid to hold the Walnut Festival………
We need new leaders.
Seriously ghetto walnut creek, you were a family city now you are catering to the alcoholic parents now, I’m sure they will be pushing strollers!
More like they’re eyeing a new crime zone if it comes to pass.
Not a good idea…. there’s already enough problems in the downtown area with intoxicated people especially on weekends – just ask any WC LE ….. next of course would be the exclusion of all vehicles other than commercial – starting on weekends then probably all times
Oh…… now I see.
You guys just don’t want all the Richmond & Pittsburg people getting wild drunk, flash mob looting & side showing here anymore.
So much for culture & ethnicity….. snobs!
Wow, I read this completely different than the rest of you. My first thought was, in this land of the (once) free, the local magistrate made standing outside with a glass of wine, or a bottle of beer illegal. I guess I read the “maintaining control” negatively. Perhaps I grew up in an area/era where adults were allowed to socialize without the heavy hand of big daddy government putting on the leash and not let the possibility of 1 or 2 bad apples spoil it for the 100 others.
My real life experience recently with these ‘zones’ is much different than others here. I’ve seen and been part of a few events in a ‘zone’. The ability to roam freely without having to down your drink before leaving one place and going to another is a better experience with less consumption IMO. Moving around to different places, with different music, food and drink options, is a nice way to meet other groups, engage in conversation and enjoy being an adult.
Do you buy the glassware before you wander down the street?
Has the WCPD weighed in on this? (will they be allowed to?).
Will the Police block Main St. to prevent “cruising”? (they did in the 70’s).
Where will the porta potties be?
“these people” – “old” – “stick in the muds” – “don’t enjoy life” – “bunch of downers”……and you know this how? Because some folks disagree with you?
You all crack me up. We have outdoor music/drinking in Carson City all summer and nothing happens. All ages are out having fun enjoying music and having a beer, wine or cocktail. I’ve been here since 2017 and enjoying all the summer entertainment options. People misbehave in bars an restaurants so being outdoors will not make things worse. I bet most of you seldom leave the house to enjoy music or much else.
You do not live in Carson City cause if you did you wouldn’t have made the above faIse statement. My wife and I were just in Carson City last weekend and no people were not just cruising around with alcohol in hand enjoying blaring music like it was some city wide concert. There wasn’t even music loud enough to audibly outside the casinos!?! What a dumb statement and most of us have been to more concerts in one decade than you have your entire life! We aren’t the ones staying inside that would be your generation.
bddo
I lived in Carson City since 2017, and it’s not summer yet. The events are from Memorial day through Labor day. And then there is Nevada Day where drinking and music start around 7am and go into the night.; The first Saturday of the month is the DBA Wine Walk with 35 stops. For 8 weeks in the summer is the Levitt Concert Series outdoor on Saturday nights at the BAC and people bring their own or purchase at the event. Most bars downtown have outdoor spaces where they have music in the summer and again adult beverages are available.
Remember NV has no open container laws or last call which is why casinos pour 24/7/365
It’s very obvious you don’t live in here and are a CA tourist we find annoying
Yes I am well aware of the open container laws in Nevada and have been since moving to Las Vegas in 1997 so your annoying CA tourist claim falls a bit flat here. Spouting off crap easily googled doesn’t mean squat.
2017? That was the same year as the Route 91 Harvest music festival in Las Vegas.
Did you happen to attend?
Jelly
Yes that was the year of the shooting in Vegas and no I didn’t attend as I’m in northern NV and to be honest even before moving here I didn’t like Vegas. There is enough music events in Reno, Tahoe, Spark and Carson to keep me happy.
Carson City is a pit. It’s a place where people stay because their car broke down and they can’t afford to fix it.
That said it does have something in common with Walnut Creek: Oodles of vacant commercial real estate.
Fearless
Beats being stuck on Ghetto Fabulous Concord. No gangs and other crap Ghettocord has. Can go out at night and not worry about being shot.
Now I’m confused… we should “leave the house to enjoy music” or we shouldn’t because of “gangs and other crap Ghettocord has”…. and we can’t go out at night and not worry about being shot?
Maybe we should all move to Nevada where we could drink and gamble 24/7 because it’s safer? (even tho as mass shootings go, Nevada holds the record for worst mass shooting in US History with 60 killed and over 500 injured).
The City should not be encouraging drinking. Must be low on DUI’s.
We leave the house and enjoy music (and everything else) all the time! We’ve been to every place listed on the “where haven’t you been in the Bay Area” on another thread except jail! If people would control their alcohol consumption, it wouldn’t be an issue. The bottom line is some people don’t control their consumption, and alcohol changes your behavior. And not for the better. I think WC is just trying to make money. Alcohol loosens your wallet, and they want people to spend money. I’m against this too. Supporting local businesses doesn’t have to include alcohol.
This is a perfectly normal thing throughout Europe, but it’s part of the historic culture and people are used to it. Creating a public drinking zone here at one go (rather than implementing it on a very gradual, long-term basis) will likely create problems, because the patrons will take it as an opportunity to go wild and get drunk in public.
But I can “go wild and get drunk in public” today.:)
Ancient mariner
Correct. My observation when visiting Europe is that Europeans know how to behave. Adults and children behave better than they do in this country. They don’t have the privilege/entitlement attitude.
Heading to 2 new countries in a couple of weeks so I shall see how they act in public
Who the hell cares about how Europeans act and goody for you heading abroad we will all be waiting pins and needles to hear your assessment on their behaviors in comparison to Americans.
It’s excellent that the staff has stated they would coordinate with Police and other Departments,
and they are saying, per this narritave it’s being framed as an economic tool, but, and there is a but…Also, since stating officials are pointing to other California Cities, does that mean they have hard facts and data?
The but is to me and a concerning one, is it Government Inducement either by implication or fact.
When they say “open air downtown experience”, they are likely referring to closing the entire area off to automobiles.
That will open up a bunch of real estate to build on, and new parking structures surrounding the “quadrant”, or should I say “doomed social experiment”. They’ve been salivating over the idea of confiscating the four lanes on Mt. Diablo Blvd. for years.