Social District

About the Wake Forest Social District

Social Districts

Social districts are areas where people can walk with open, to-go containers of alcoholic beverages (malt beverages, unfortified wine, fortified wine, spirituous beverages and mixed beverages) in a contiguous area. A social district may include both indoor and outdoor areas of businesses within the defined district during the days and hours established for the district.

The Downtown Wake Forest Social District will take effect June 5, 2025.

Wake Forest Social District Hours

Beginning Thursday, June 5, 2025, the Wake Forest Social District will operate Thursday-Saturday from Noon to 9 p.m.

 

The Wake Forest Social District allows alcoholic beverages to be consumed within district boundaries, Thursday–Saturday, Noon–9 p.m. Boundaries for the social district are clearly marked with signage at prominent exit points of the district. 

Visitors to the district are not allowed to bring and consume their own alcoholic beverages – no BYOB. Any alcoholic beverages consumed in the social district must be consumed from the required social district cup. A person cannot pour their wine, beer, or liquor into a solo cup or any other type of container. Only alcoholic beverages sold by a participating ABC permitted establishment within the district may be consumed in the social district cup. 

A person may take their alcoholic drink into the establishment where they bought it, another participating business that allows the specially labeled social district cups, or a public, outdoor space within the district's boundaries. No alcoholic beverages are to be taken inside the Wake Forest Town Hall municipal campus, parking lot, or in a non-participating business within the parameters of the district. A person is required to dispose of any alcoholic beverage in the person’s possession prior to exiting the social district or entering a vehicle.