By Delaney Tarr

Say cheers. Atlanta officially has its first open container district in South Downtown, just in time for the FIFA World Cup.

As of April 15, a recent Atlanta City Council ordinance created an open container district where people 21 and older can legally drink and carry alcoholic beverages within a designated area of the city’s urban core.

The move aligns with an expected influx of tens of thousands of visitors to downtown Atlanta this summer, when Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host eight World Cup matches. It also coincides with a major redevelopment just a few blocks away.

The district will sit in South Downtown, or SoDo, a 57-building project across 16 acres aimed at turning the area into a vibrant, walkable destination with local businesses like Tyde Tate Kitchen, El Tesoro and Bottlerocked Sushi.

It spans from Alabama Street to Trinity Avenue and from Peachtree Street to Ted Turner Drive. It is already active.

The designation marks a first for Atlanta. The city previously had no open container districts, though nearby areas like Downtown Decatur allow “Sip and Stroll” in their city centers.

The ordinance, sponsored by Councilmembers Jason Dozier, Alex Wan and Thomas Worthy, says the district serves the “best interest” of the city as SoDo redevelops into a key destination.

Dozier is also pushing for a second, temporary “public entertainment district” downtown that would allow open containers from June 11 to July 19.

“My goal is to make sure downtown Atlanta is a destination,” Dozier said in a story from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

City leaders have emphasized the change is not just for the World Cup. The SoDo development and open container district are permanent, aimed at long-term residents and tourism. Open container policies are often associated with boosting nightlife and walkability.

Customers can add another drink to their tab as they leave a bar or take one to go as they move between businesses. The concept is especially popular in tourist hubs like the French Quarter in New Orleans, the Las Vegas Strip and Beale Street in Memphis.

In Georgia, open container has long been associated with Savannah. The city has allowed open alcoholic beverages in its Historic District for decades. While few can pinpoint when it began, many trace it to the city’s Prohibition-era history — Savannah was among the first places in the country to legally serve alcohol after repeal.

To better understand Atlanta’s new district, Georgia Insider spoke with Visit Savannah President and CEO Joseph Marinelli.

“For many years, it provided us with a competitive advantage to other cities when folks were looking for a place to get away from the daily grind of life,” Marinelli said.

Marinelli leads the official destination marketing organization for one of the state’s oldest and most visited cities. His role focuses on helping local businesses promote their services and attract visitors from around the world.

Savannah’s appeal, he said, includes its coastal setting, arts scene, historic architecture and walkable layout. The open container law gave the city “a bit of an advantage,” at least initially. As more cities adopt similar policies, that edge has “dissipated.”

Still, open container remains part of the Savannah experience and a contributor to its $4 billion tourism economy. Roughly 17 million visitors come to the city each year.

“Adult beverage sales are a big part of any destination,” Marinelli said.

He noted that local establishments typically take the lead in explaining “to-go” rules to customers. The tourism agency does not market Savannah as a place to “come here and get drunk,” instead leaving messaging to businesses.

Even so, the district is a draw for major events like St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween. It also attracts visitors from cities such as Boston and Cleveland interested in the novelty of walking with a drink.

In Savannah’s Historic District, customers can “take a traveler” while bar-hopping. Drinks must be in a 16-ounce plastic cup, and bottles and flasks are prohibited. Atlanta is expected to adopt similar restrictions.

Marinelli cautioned that open container laws are not universally embraced. Cities like Savannah have dense residential areas, and alcohol can lead to rowdy behavior. Managing these districts requires balance — supporting tourism and business while maintaining reasonable noise and crowd levels.

With that in mind, Marinelli offered advice to Atlanta as it launches its first district.

“My wisdom would be that the city consider this a worthy experiment and not go into it with a mindset of ‘this is how we do it now,’” he said. “Because maybe you’re not going to be happy with the result.”

Delaney Tarr is a Florida native-turned-Georgia lover with years of experience covering the ins and outs of Atlanta. She specializes in untold stories, eclectic profiles and hard-hitting news.