Downtown Vision Inc. and partners pop the cork on Riverwalk alcohol consumption

Government

Visitors to the Downtown Riverwalk can now take in the sights of the St. Johns River and city skyline with an adult beverage.

On July 1, Downtown Vision Inc. announced the launch of its Riverwalk Cup Program, which allows for open consumption of alcoholic beverages on the Northbank and Southbank Riverwalks within a legally designated area.

The program allows for consumption of beer, wine or spirits in specially marked 16-ounce to-go containers from 11 a.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays.

A map of the Downtown area allowing open-container consumption of alcohol in special cups.

The containers must be purchased from establishments participating in the program. They are:

• Chart House, 1501 Riverplace Blvd.

• St. Johns Provision Co. and Riverview Lounge at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Jacksonville Riverfront, 1201 Riverplace Blvd.

• SHOR Seafood Grill and Tavern at Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, 225 E. Coastline Drive.

• Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts (during events), 300 Water St.

• Morton’s The Steakhouse, 225 E. Coastline Drive.

• Riverside Arts Market (during events), 715 Riverside Ave.

• Southbank Johnnie’s at the Southbank Hotel Jacksonville Riverwalk, 1515 Prudential Drive.

• St. Johns River Taxi (during select events)

The Downtown Vision program allows for the consumption of beer, wine or spirits in specially marked 16-ounce to-go containers.

Visit Jacksonville sponsors the program, which was made possible in partnership with DVI, the city of Jacksonville and the Downtown Investment Authority.

In January, Jacksonville City Council members approved the creation of the Downtown Riverwalk Specialty Center on both stretches of the Riverwalk. Specialty centers are allowed by state laws in areas adjacent to navigable waterways.

The specialty center legislation, 2023-0863, came about after participants in a JAX Chamber leadership trip experienced a specialty center established in Tampa.

Among restrictions applying to Jacksonville’s program, visitors to the Riverwalk cannot bring their own alcoholic beverages and to-go containers cannot be brought into participating businesses but rather only purchased and taken from them. Visitors also cannot enter riverfront parks with open containers of any kind, including the specially marked program cups.