Long Beach is officially the Second city of California To transform its city center into a “Outdoor entertainment zone.”
This new designation will allow adults 21 and over to consume alcohol outside in the city. The Long Beach municipal council voted to approve the prescription at a meeting on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. These new rules allowing alcohol consumption in downtown Long Beach Start this summer.
The initiative aims at revitalize the region, which has been faced with many economic challenges in recent years.
What other cities in California have “entertainment areas”?
Long Beach will turn to the City of Santa Monica For advice on how to proceed with the new “entertainment zone”. Santa Monica was the very first California city to enjoy the state Senate bill n ° 969.
California’s law allows it “Outdoor entertainment areas, ” And it was past with the intention of revitalizing local businesses It had experienced slower traffic in person from the pandemic. You can find out more about Santa Monica’s “entertainment zones” here.
What are the expectations and concerns about the new “entertainment zone”?
Some residents of Long Beach hope Potential advantages of the proposed entertainment area, as Increase in tourism and higher profits for local city companies. However, other inhabitants fear that the order may Add to existing city problems. Critics fear that it may worsen problems like crime And put individuals without local risk at even greater risks.
Where will the “entertainment areas” be located?
Since the new prescription has just passed yesterday, it is Always unknown What parts of downtown Long Beach will be designated as the “entertainment zone”. New details should be announced in the coming weeks.