Residents of Los Angeles might soon enjoy beverages while walking in one of the city’s more dangerous neighborhoods, thanks to a new proposal.
At a recent meeting, the Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted 12-0 to instruct city departments to evaluate the possibility of creating designated “entertainment zones” in areas of Downtown LA known for violence, where individuals could carry open containers of alcohol.
City planners, local agencies, and the state alcohol regulators now have a period of 60 days to determine the feasibility of this plan.
The report they compile will cover community-specific safety measures, suggested operating hours, and enforcement protocols, as the Department of City Planning collaborates with several city departments, the LAPD, the City Attorney, and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.
This report will also propose specific locations within DTLA for these entertainment zones, which face considerable safety concerns, given that crime rates there are reported to be 62% higher than the national average.
The initiative was introduced in May by Councilmembers Ysabel Jurado and Hugo Soto-Martínez.
This proposal follows Senate Bill 969, passed in 2024, which enables local governments to permit adults to legally purchase alcoholic beverages from licensed establishments and enjoy them in particular outdoor public areas.
“Downtown Los Angeles is a vital economic and cultural hub for our city, yet local businesses, hospitality workers, and other sectors are still recovering from significant disruptions,” stated Councilmember Jurado back in May.
She clarified that the intention is not to create an unregulated environment but to explore the potential for “managed public space activation” that may boost economic recovery while ensuring protections for residents and visitors.
During the meeting on October 28, Soto-Martínez amended the measure to include a study for establishing “one or more Entertainment Zones on or near the Hollywood Walk of Fame.”
There are already similar entertainment zones functioning in locations like Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade and Culver City.
If approved, these zones could significantly change public alcohol regulation in Southern California, resembling open-container areas seen in cities like New Orleans and piloted in San Francisco.
