Public consumption of alcohol now permitted around Downtown Bryan

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) – An ordinance change by the city council will bring consistency to City of Bryan laws, making public alcohol consumption rules the same across the city.

This will now allow residents and visitors to consume alcoholic beverages along Downtown Bryan streets.

This change is effective immediately.

During a Bryan City Council meeting Tuesday night, the new rules were discussed and approved.

Deputy City Manager Joey Dunn said the new rules will allow for the public consumption of alcohol except from 2 am to 7 am on weekdays and 2 am to noon on Sundays. It also allows local businesses, with appropriate TABC licenses, to sell alcoholic beverages for on-premise and off-premise consumption in public areas.

“As proposed, this action reduces confusion with current ordinance requirements and is consistent with State law. City staff will continue to closely monitor Downtown events and activities to ensure public health and safety are maintained,” said Dunn.

State law currently allows the consumption of alcoholic beverages in all public places except where restricted by a city in a downtown area.  Bryan’s previous ordinance generally prohibited public consumption in the Downtown Bryan Area and declared a violation a misdemeanor offense. The Downtown Bryan area impacted by the previous ordinance consisted of a 72-block area bound by Texas Avenue, Martin Luther King, Jr. Street, Sims Avenue, and 31st Street.

The city found that its ordinance was more strict than State law and some aspects of it were confusing relative to Downtown events and activities that include alcoholic beverage consumption.

Highlighted by Dunn and Destination Bryan are the impacts this change could have on numerous events in the future.

“First Friday is our most common event, and a frequent event so we’re looking forward to the opportunity for our businesses to further participate and our events now that this has changed,” Lena Adams with Destination Bryan said.

Multiple businesses around Downtown Bryan didn’t know the change in ordinance was coming but say they look forward to learning more about what they can do in the future with the new rules.

“I’m extremely excited. Thank you and kudos to the board and the City Council for voting. That is going to help us tremendously,” Debbie Rodriguez with Casa Rodriguez said. “First Friday, Cinco de Mayo, just enjoying a nice stroll, you know, you want to just walk around and see what kind of shops and businesses are Downtown. Get you a little refreshment and walk around and just enjoy.”

City staff studied other ordinances and contacted officials in the cities of McKinney, Georgetown, Fredericksburg, and other Texas cities that have updated ordinances relative to alcoholic beverage consumption in their downtown areas. A survey of Downtown Bryan merchants was conducted two years ago indicating support for allowing alcoholic beverage consumption in the Downtown Bryan Area.

Public intoxication laws remain in effect.