SB276 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Apr 26, 2021

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Rodger SmithermanSenator
Democrat
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: Entertainment districts, allow wineries, distilleries, and breweries to sell alcohol for consumption within districts, revise qualifications for certain municipalities to establish, Sec. 28-3A-17.1 am'd.
Summary: Authorizes certain alcohol licensees in Alabama's entertainment districts to sell and allow on-site consumption within the district, and updates how municipalities can establish these districts.
What This Bill Does
The bill allows wineries, distilleries, and breweries that conduct tastings and are located in an entertainment district to sell alcohol for consumption within that district. It lets the Alabama ABC Board designate districts for on-premises retailers and manufacturers that conduct tastings, with consumption allowed anywhere inside the district but not extending beyond the district’s boundaries. It sets district limits by municipality class (up to two districts for some municipalities, up to five for others, and special rules for certain classes) with a minimum number of licensees and a maximum district size of 0.5 mile by 0.5 mile; it also includes provisions for sidewalk/deck areas in Class 2 municipalities and clarifies that consumption within the district can occur regardless of licensure terms. The bill repeals conflicting laws and establishes an effective date a few months after passage.

Who It Affects
Businesses holding alcohol licenses (wineries, distilleries, and breweries that conduct tastings, manufacturers with tastings, restaurant retail liquor licenses, on-premises licenses, and other retail liquor licenses) located within an entertainment district, who may sell alcohol for consumption within the district and allow open-container consumption there.
Municipalities (Class 1-8 and those with arts councils, main street programs, or downtown development entities) and related local programs, which gain authority to establish one or more entertainment districts meeting specified size and licensee requirements.

Key Provisions
Authorizes entertainment district designation for licensees that sell alcohol for on-premises consumption and for manufacturer licensees that conduct tastings, provided they are located in an approved entertainment district.
Permits patrons to exit licensed premises with open containers and drink anywhere within the entertainment district, but not into another licensed premises with containers acquired elsewhere; does not extend the licensed premises' boundaries.
Establishes district limits: Class 5 municipalities or those with certain programs may have up to two districts; Class 1, 2, 3, 4, or Gulf of Mexico-adjacent municipalities may have up to five districts; Class 8 municipalities may have two districts; each district must have at least four licensees and be limited to 0.5 miles by 0.5 miles.
Requires specific license types within districts (manufacturers with tastings, restaurant licenses, on-premises licenses, or other retail licenses) depending on municipality class.
In Class 2 municipalities, licensed premises within a district include adjacent sidewalks or decks and may extend slightly outside the entrance during special events.
Revises and pre-empts conflicting laws; repeals laws that conflict with district boundaries or designations.
Effective date is the first day of the third month after the bill's passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Entertainment Districts