WElcome to The District
An Entertainment Destination Center in Ashland, KY
The District is an Entertainment Destination Center in downtown Ashland, KY, launched by the City of Ashland, Kentucky in 2022. The District is a vibrant, walkable cultural destination that invites residents and visitors to explore and engage with retailers, venues, restaurants/bars, special events, and the overall community; the District creatively offers new amenities and is an increasingly popular location for new businesses. The District boosts local hospitality and tourism industries by allowing customers to purchase alcoholic drinks in designated to-go cups from participating licensed businesses and enjoying the drinks within The District boundaries during special events.
Events activating the Entertainment Destination center (EDC)
Participating locations
CITY OF ASHLAND ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION CENTER RULES
Alcohol may be carried, possessed, and consumed in common areas of the City of Ashland Entertainment Destination Center (EDC) during special events conducted within the EDC subject to these rules and all applicable Ashland and state ordinances and statutes.
• Alcohol must be purchased from a vendor licensed to sell alcohol by the drink within or adjacent to the Ashland Entertainment Destination Center District.
• Boundaries of the EDC shall be marked by clear and conspicuous signage which shall indicate the limits of the EDC and that “no EDC alcohol is allowed beyond this point.”
• During events held pursuant to a special event permit within the EDC, a licensee located in or adjacent to the EDC may allow patrons to leave its premises with alcoholic beverage drinks and consume those drinks at other licensed premises within or adjacent to the EDC or in any EDC common area.
• All alcohol within the EDC must be contained in a cup approved by the City Manager for use in the EDC.
• No alcohol may be brought into the EDC from outside sources.
• Alcohol may not be taken outside of the EDC for any reason.
• All alcohol vendors shall refuse to sell or provide a City-approved cup with alcohol to any person or persons who are visibly intoxicated.
• All cups must be disposed of properly in waste or recycling containers. Cups may not be reused at subsequent events. Littering is prohibited in the EDC and will be strictly enforced.
• All state and local alcohol laws and ordinances shall be strictly enforced within the EDC geographical boundaries, including without limitation, public intoxication and disorderly conduct.
Rules of The District
Entertainment Destination Center
in Ashland, KY
Map of The District
Entertainment Destination Center
in Ashland, KY
FAQs
What is an Entertainment Destination Center?
In Kentucky, municipalities can establish an Entertainment Destination Center that allows patrons at participating restaurants and bars to leave the premise with an alcoholic beverage in a specially-marked cup.
Where can I have alcoholic beverages in Downtown Ashland, KY?
Alcoholic beverages purchased from a business in The District must be consumed within the boundaries. (See map)
When are alcoholic beverages allowed in The District?
Alcoholic beverages are only allowed on public property when a City approved special event is happening. City approved events can be found here.
Can I purchase a cup and put my own drink in it to walk around The District during a special event?
No, only drinks purchased from a participating business in The District are allowed by state law. No cans, glass bottles, or outside drinks are permitted with the boundaries. Anyone with alcohol on public property not purchased from a participating business during permitted hours or during a designated special event can be cited and/or arrested.
Can I bring my cup back to another event?
No. The District cups are only permitted for a single use when leaving a downtown business to walk to another location within the area.
What are the repercussions for those exiting the boundaries with alcohol?
Should patrons leave the boundary, they can be cited and/or arrested.
Are other Kentucky cities creating an Entertainment Destination Center like The District EDC?
In August of 2016, the State of Kentucky adopted legislation allowing municipalities to create local Entertainment Destination Center’s in their tourism and convention districts. To date, over a dozen municipalities have passed local ordinances to create these, including Bowling Green, Paducah, Danville, Owensboro, Louisville, Lexington, Morehead, Covington, Maysville, Midway, Bellevue, Somerset, Corbin, and, Camp Landing, and the CVG Airport.