California’s New “Entertainment Zones” Are Legal Starting Jan. 1

California is seeing a lot of new law changes come into effect this upcoming year. Starting tomorrow Jan. 1, 2025, California’s alcohol sales are expanding in many areas of the state. Senate Bill 969 will allow local municipalities and counties to designate “entertainment zones” where bars and restaurants can sell alcoholic beverages for people to drink “on public streets, sidewalks, or public rights of way.”

Boosting Local Businesses

Many of these new state laws starting in 2025 are in response to the downturn of many businesses during Covid, and the laws aim to boost local businesses and the local economy. One of these laws going into effect at the start of the new year is the “Entertainment Zones” law. It aims to expand foot traffic in many California towns that need a boost in their local economy through sales.

Another law aiming for the same economy boost is Assembly Bill 1775 which allows licensed dispensaries and cannabis lounges to sell non-psychoactive food and non-alcoholic drinks to their customers. These new laws could revitalize many of California’s downtown districts which have struggled to draw foot traffic in recent years.

An Experiment in San Francisco

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a similar bill to Bill 969 back in 2022, but it only applied to San Francisco. This last September, San Francisco experimented with an “entertainment zone” for their local Oktoberfest celebration.

And happily the city reported 10 times more foot traffic than their Oktoberfest celebration in 2023. It seems to be promising news for cities looking to boost their economies and draw more tourist traffic.

Entertainment Zones in Los Angeles?

So far, there’s been no word on whether the City of Los Angeles plans to allow these new “entertainment zones.” However, with so many major events coming up in L.A., like the 2028 Olympic Games, it stands to reason that such zones would be considered beneficial for local businesses.

You can read more about Senate Bill 969 here.