The Santa Monica City Council is considering a proposal to allow public drinking on the Third Street Promenade in an effort to revitalize the struggling pedestrian mall, which hasn’t rebounded from the pandemic.
The plan would allow visitors to buy drinks from local bars and restaurants and walk around with them in a designated area between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m. daily.
Andrew Thomas, CEO of Downtown Santa Monica, supports the initiative.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Thomas told KTLA. “It could really enliven the area.”
The proposal, however, has sparked concerns about public drunkenness and its impact on the Promenade’s family-friendly atmosphere.
Other revitalization ideas include lowering rent to fill commercial vacancies, increasing security to make shoppers feel safer and enhancing street entertainment.
If approved, Santa Monica would become the first city in California to establish a “drink and shop” zone.
The City Council is expected to debate the proposal in the coming weeks.
