What to know about Topeka’s ‘drinking zones’
TOPEKA (KSNT) – “Socialized Drinking Zones” are now open in Topeka, allowing people to walk out of the bar with their drink in hand – but, with limits.
The zones, or common consumption areas (CCA), will be sectioned off in downtown Topeka and the NOTO Arts and Entertainment District. Signs will be posted to show people when they’re entering and exiting the zones.
Nexstar’s Kansas Capitol Bureau contacted city officials to get answers on the new regulations.
‘STAY’ IN THE ZONE
The first thing to keep in mind about the new zones is to make sure you stay within the designated areas. According to the City, people can remain within the boundaries of the CCA with their drink and discard appropriately in trash receptacles when leaving the zones.
“Stay in the boundaries… you can walk wherever you want within those boundaries,” said Topeka City Councilmember Spencer Duncan. “There’s signage for them… so we try to make it easy so you know when you’re about to leave it… and it’ll tell you don’t go past here…”
While residents may be used to walking around with a drink at special events, the new rules would allow them to walk outside of a licensed bar or restaurant in the designated locations with their drink between 8 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. seven days a week.
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“I don’t know that I’d call it ‘bar-hopping’… I really think as we talked to the businesses down here… one of the reasons they wanted this is so if you do complete a meal at one of the establishments… and you do want another beer… you want to finish your drink… you can take it with you… and then you can go down the street… and you can go shopping somewhere else,” Duncan explained. “Or, if there’s something going on… an event down here… you don’t feel like, ‘oh I have to sit here… I’m going to miss out on it, but I wanted to finish my drink…’ You can just walk outside and you can participate in downtown… or in NOTO’s case… you can participate in NOTO.”
The downtown CCA will encompass Fourth Street on the north, 10th Avenue on the south, Quincy Street on the east and Jackson Street on the west. The NOTO CCA will encompass Fairchild Street on the north, Norris Street on the south, Quincy Street on the east and Jackson Street on the west.
‘GOOD TO GO’ WITH ‘LOGO’
The new zones are coming after lawmakers passed legislation last year, amending the state’s common consumption law. It removes the requirement to block parts of the common consumption areas from traffic during events. Instead, local governments would be required to have the areas marked off with signs so people are aware of the zones.
Licensed businesses will be allowed to participate, marking to-go cups with their logo so people can carry them outside. People can walk around with their drink in a non-glass container purchased from a licensed, participating establishment with the logo or identifying trademark of the business on the cup.
“The container that you’ve got has to be labeled… so I think, for us… we’ve applied for the CCA… we’re going to use sticker logos, so that way each container can be identified from where the customer came from,” said Jacob Kind, co-founder of The Tee Box.
King’s business, which provides an indoor golf course and restaurant, is one of several that will be licensed to participate.
In an interview with Nexstar’s Kansas Capitol Bureau, King said people will most likely have to check with each business to see how far along they are in getting things set up, but he’s hoping the changes will draw in customers.
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WHAT NOT TO DO
According to the City, you cannot bring your own alcohol or refill cups your own cups. Also, people cannot take their alcoholic beverages into a business that doesn’t allow outside drinks.
“You cannot bring your own alcohol, so I know that’s something that’s been asked like… ‘Can I bring my own stuff down?’… no, you still have to make the purchase from one of those licensees,” Duncan said.
While the changes would technically allow people to “bar-hop,” according to a city spokeswoman, individual businesses can decide whether or not they will allow outside beverages and individuals would need to respect those rules.
‘INCREASED’ POLICE PRESENCE
As for enforcement, City Councilman Spencer Duncan said it’s unlikely that increased police presence will be needed long-term. However, there will be an increased presence for several weeks in both CCAs.
“The first several weeks… yes… part of that will be just so we can see as a city how it goes… so that people can be reminded,” Duncan said. “I think in the conversations we’ve had with the police department, it won’t be the heavy stick option… it will be let’s make sure everyone’s doing the right thing… let’s train the populace and the citizens on what they’re supposed to do. I think over time, it’ll just be business as usual as everyone gets adjusted to it… I don’t think we’re going to need extra police presence.”
LICENSING
Nexstar’s Kansas Capitol Bureau also asked city officials about licensing for businesses.
According to the City, here are the steps businesses would need to take to obtain a license:
The business or entity must be located within an established CCA and have a valid On-Premise License (includes Caterer Licenses, Class A and Class B Clubs, Drinking Establishments and Public Venue Licenses) issued from the State of Kansas, and a valid City of Topeka Drinking Establishment License or On-Premise CMB License; or Temporary permit holders located within a permitted CCA can also participate in the CCA.
If your business falls under either of the above requirements, you can participate in the CCA. Please submit a “Request to Participate in Common Consumption Area” (Form ABC-838) and corresponding documents to the State of Kansas ABC for approval. You have the option to submit the application and corresponding documents online; via email; by fax 785-296-7185 or in-person to the ABC Office located at 109 SW 9th Street, 5th Floor, Topeka, Kansas. The following documents will be useful for this request:
State of Kansas ABC Form 838
Ordinance No. 20474
Once approved by ABC, email or hand deliver a copy of the approved “Request to Participate in Common Consumption Area” form to the City Clerk’s Office located at 215 SE 7th Street, Topeka, KS.
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