Social Districts!!! You know…the ones where you can get your drink in a to go cup and walk down the street!?!? In the designated areas only of course!
Basic Rules: Stay within the designated area, do not bring your own booze, use the designated social district cups provided by restaurants, do not assume that each restaurant participates, do not take alcohol into non-participating establishments (They could lose their liquor license if you do!)
Each Social District has it’s own hours too! Some are open daily…some are only open for special occasions!
Livingston County
Monday-Sunday; Noon-10pm
Participating Bars & Restaurants: Brighton Bar & Grill, Bourbons, The Canopy Lounge, Casa Tequila, El Árbol, Jezebel’s Saloon, Label Kitchen + Bar, The Pound Bar & Grill, Sidecar Slider Bar, Single Barrel Social
Daily; 11am-10pm
Participating Bars & Restaurants: Abberrant Ales, Cleary’s Pub, Coratti’s Pizzeria, Howell’s Main Street Winery, Moe’s Bar Bar Shop, 2 Fogs Pub, Diamonds, Cello
Macomb County
Centerline
When: Only During Special Events
Participating Establishments: Sandbaggers Sports Bar & Grill & Te Roma Grill and Beergarden
Mt. Clemens
When: Thurs-Fri, Noon-10 pm; Sat-Sun, 10am-10pm
Participating Establishments: Cellar 104, Abbibo, Gumbo’s
The Social Wave
When: Year Round
Participating Establishments: Fin’s, Little Camille’s By The Bay, On the Bay, Town Pump Bar, Washington Street Wine House, Blind Owl, & The Pink House Tea Room.
Social District Rules
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Look for the businesses below with “The Social Wave” stickers on their window
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Order an adult beverage of your choice and it will be poured into a social district marked cup
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Only alcohol purchased from participating establishments may be consumed within the social district.
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You may enjoy your drink responsibly within the social district boundaries that are marked with signage
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Please properly dispose of your cup in trash receptacles around town
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Cups cannot be taken from one establishment into another establishment
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Social district cups are for one-time use only
St. Clair Shores Social District
When: SELECT SATURDAYS ONLY; 5pm-12am
Greater Mack Ave will be closed from 9 Mile south to the 9 Mack/Cavalier Drive intersection.
Participating Establishments: Shores Inn, Copper Hop Brewing Co, Firehouse Pub Cache Cocktail & Wine Bar
Discover Downtown
We welcome you to join us this summer at the Downtown St. Clair Shores Social District to enjoy various activities throughout our downtown, including:
- Live Music
- Food Trucks
- Yard Games
- Great Food
- New Friends
- …and so much more!
The Social District allows visitors to purchase alcoholic beverages from participating bars and restaurants and then enjoy them throughout the District’s Common Area.
Visitors and non-residents welcome!
Oakland County
The Downtown Clawson Social District allows adults to purchase their favorite alcoholic beverage from social district licensed restaurants & pubs and stroll the sidewalks to window shop or find a bench to people watch.
Participating Establishments: Three Cats, Mojave Cantina, Whiskey Taco Foxtrot, Lucky Duck, Pumachug, Old Detroit Burger Bar, Weiss Distillery, Tavern on Main, Renshaw Lounge
The social district does NOT include parking lots, roadways, or non-licensed establishements.
Clarkston Social District
Participating Restaurants: The Fed, Clarkston Union, Union Woodshop, and Honcho
There are signs at each of the key border points have been placed to notify patrons that no alcohol is allowed beyond that point.
No alcohol is allowed at Depot Park.
Source: villageofclarkston.org
Farmington Social District: The Syndicate
Monday – Sunday; 8am – 10pm
Join us with your adult beverage at Riley Park, Masonic Plaza, or along Grand River while you wait for a table.
Participating Restaurants & Bars: Farmington Brewing Company, Sidecar Slider Bar, Basement Burger Bar, 1 Up Arcade Bar, Masa, Mi.Mosa, Los Tres Amigos, Chive Kitchen, Browndog, & Loft Cigar Lounge
Monday – Sunday: 10am – 10pm
Participating Restaurants & Bars: One Eyed Betty’s, 215 West, Anita’s Kitchen, Brooks Brewing, Como’s, Corner Grill & Detroit Axe, Danny’s Irish Pub, Go Comedy!, Howe’s Bayou, Imperial, J’s Penalty Box, Mezcal, Public House, The Oakland/Art Novelty Company (Speakeasy), The Rust Belt Market, Tigerlily & Mai Tiki, Traverse City Whiskey, Urbanrest, Woodward Avenue Brewers, Valentine Distilling Co
Holly Battle Alley Social District
I can’t find much info on this one! The Battle Alley Social District webpage is blank. There was a devasting fire in downtown Holly in 2022 that destroyed several historic Battle Alley businesses. So that could be affecting things. If you have any info on this one, let me know please!
When: Year Round; Daily from the time each participating restaurant opens until midnight.
Include all the sidewalks on Broadway from Shadbolt to M-24, on Flint and Front from Anderson to Lapeer, and the following areas:
- Flint Street Alleyway
- Meek’s Park at Broadway
- and the Children’s Park bike lot area.
Within the district,restaurants & bars obtained permits to sell Social District beverages. The commons area is open and drinks can be sold 7 days a week from when the restaurant opens until midnight all year round.
What is bought for the social district stays in the social district! Please do not enter any restaurant with a drink from another bar – it puts them at risk for losing their liquor license.
When you buy a drink from a Social District Venue you will get a 16 oz disposable cup with a social district sticker and the name of the venue upon it. This is important because, as you stroll down the street enjoying the downtown, the social district cup is what identifies your beverage as legal.
Participating Restaurants: 313 Pizza Bar, Fork N Pint, American Legion Post 233, Wine Social, Bitter Tom’s Distillery, Oat Soda Lake Orion, Johnny Black’s Lakehouse, Anita’s Kitchen, Sagebrush Cantina
Oak Park: Water Tower Social District
The Oak Park Water Tower Social District on 11 Mile Road (formal address is 14700 Kingston)
The Social District welcomes those ages 21 and above to purchase to-go alcoholic beverages from participating businesses and enjoy them in the Commons Area.
Hours of Operation:
- Monday through Saturday: Noon-10 pm
- Sunday: Noon- 6 pm
- Closed on holidays recognized by the City of Oak Park
Participating Businesses (expanding soon!)
- Oak Park Social
- Dog and Pony Show
Pontiac Social District: The Circuit
Participating Restaurants & Bars: Exferimentation Brewing Co., Fillmore 13 Brewery, and Liberty Bar, Alley Cat Cafe, Little MO, The Lafayette Grande, and Strand Theatre.
11am -10pm, 7 Days a Week!
The Social District is in operation during special events such as Arts, Beats, and Eats or Taco Fest, BUT you may not enter these events with social district beverages.
Participating Restaurants & Bars: Condado Tacos, Gusoline Alley, HopCat, Lily’s Seafood, Lockhart’s BBQ, Mesa, Motor City Gas, Oak City Grille, O’Tooles, Bigalora, Pronto, Royal Oka Tap House, Smoky’s Cigar Bar, The Rock on 3rd, The Royal Oak Brewery, The Side Bar, Tom’s Oyster Bar
Common Areas include marked sidewalks, Centennial Commons, RO Farmer’s Market, Eagle Plaza. No drinks allowed on unmarked sidewalks, in parking garages, roadways, vehicles, and non-participating businesses.
Daily; Noon-10pm
Participating Restaurants & Bars: Drafting Table Brewing Company & Wixom Station
St. Clair County
Participating Restaurants & Bars: Brass Rail, Casey’s, CityFlats Hotel & City Floats, Lynch’s Irish Tavern, McMorran Place, Raven Cafe, Sperry’s, Vintage Tavern, Wings, Etc.
*Coming Soon* Marine City
Marine City has so many hidden gems, and it’s right on the water! I can’t wait for this one to open!
Wayne County
DORA = Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area
The City of Belleville website has recently changed, and I cannot locate any more info on this one! A request for more info has been sent! I will keep you posted 🙂
One of my contacts told me Liberty Street & Main down to Johnny’s on the Water. Make sure you look for signage if you go so that you stay in the designated areas!
Grosse Pointe Park Social District
Boundaries: Kercheval Avenue starting at the alley between Alter Road and Wayburn street to Notthingham Street and continuing on Charlevoix Avenue from the same alley between Alter Road and Wayburn Street to the west side of Nottingham Street.
The Social District also includes two commons areas:
- On Kercheval Avenue from the east side of Wayburn Street to the halfway point between Beaconsfield and Notthingham Streets
- On the north side only Charlevoix Street from the boundary of the City of Detroit to Beaconsfield Street and on the south side of Charlevoix from Beaconsfield to Lakepointe.
The Common Areas Are Open:
Sun-Thurs, 5pm-10pm; Fri-Sat, 5pm-11pm Friday and Saturday.
The Social District will be closed for the following US Holidays: New Years Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas.
Monday – Sunday; 12pm-10pm
Participating Restaurants & Bars: 160 Main, Browndog Barlor, Center Street Grill, Exchange Bar & Grill, Genitti’s Hole-in-the-Wall, Great White Buffalo Brewing Company, Lava Grill, LeGeorge, Los Tres Amigos, Lucy & The Wolf, Marquis Theatre, Northville Sports Den, Simply Wine, Table 5, The Garage Grill & Fuel Bar, and Toria
Food Stands and Dining Pods
Located on Main Street in Town Square and on Center Street, Food Stands are open on the weekends Friday 4-8 pm, Saturday 12-8 pm & Sunday 12-4 and seasonally feature merchants or food vendors serving quick bites. Alcohol is NOT available for purchase in the food stands.
Dining pods are located on the east end of Main Street and Center Street for anyone who wants to eat their quick bites or carryout from one of the restaurants. Dining pods are first-come first-served and there is a one hour time limit.
Every Day; 11am-11pm
Participating Restaurants & Bars: Taco’s N’ Tequila, The Oak Barrel, Captain’s Bar, Dotte Pub, RP McMurphy’s, Whiskey on the Water, Wine Dotte Bistro, Brickhouse, Magdaleno’s Ristorante, Belicoso Cigar Bar, The Iron Gate, Joe’s Hamburgers, Firehouse Pub, Sports Bar & Grill, On the Rocks, Sushi Bar, The Vault, Modern Craft Winery, Frank’s Pizza, Grand Dad’s, Bobcat Bonnies, Gizzmos, H2O Seafood
Washtenaw County
Ann Arbor: Main Street Social District
Daily; 10am-11pm
Participating Bars & Restaurants: Alley Bar, Avalon Cafe & Kitchen, Black Pearl, Blom Meadworks, Blue LLama, Blue Tractor, Cherry Republic, The Chop House, Conor O’Neill’s, Frita Batidos, The Grotto, Grizzly Peak, Haymaker Public House, Jim Brady’s, Jolly Pumpkin, Nightcap, Of Rice & Men, Palio, Pretzel Bell, Ravens Club, Real Seafood Company, Regents Field
MOSA = Milan Outdoor Social Area
Open:
Mon-Thurs: 2-8pm
Fri: Noon-8pm
Sat: 8am-8pm
Sun: Closed
Extended Summer Hours (Memorial Day – Labor Day)
Mon-Thurs: 2-10pm
Fri: Noon-10pm
Sat: 8am-10pm
Sun: Closed
Participating Restaurants & Bars: Grateful Cow, Jet’s Pizza, Ugly Dog Distillery, Zou Zou’s Cafe
Other Distrit of Interest
Daily; 10am-Midnight
Bay City: Feet on the Street Social District
Feet on the Street allows customers to dine and drink outdoors in social districts, enjoy entertainment, and shop. Portions of Downtown Bay City and the Midland Street Business District are expected to be part of this year’s efforts.
It sounds like there has been a lot of controversey over this one. They will not longer be closing down streets to traffic like they did for the past two years. It seems that participating businesses, the rules, and all of it is up in the air right now.
This is another one to keep an eye on!
