Re: Drinking Alcohol in a public place in Florida
 

I have been visiting Fl for over 30 years, living here for 5 years. Be very careful about drinking outside anywhere, not designated, i.e legal.

Some of my NY, retired cop friends, that now live in FL, describe the cops here, as Para Military.

Reg. Frank R.

Ps. Not sure, of your status in USA, tourist, GC, work or USC, but worth be that extra bit careful, when playing with State & local laws.

Re: Drinking Alcohol in a public place in Florida
 

I can understand the laws about not walking about drinking your own cans or bottles. What I don't understand is the lack of being able to enjoy a drink while dining al fresco. I don't drink myself but I know that, having lived in the UK and experienced the idea of the beer garden, DH thinks it's a pity in the summer not to be able to sit outside his favourite bar/restaurant in Cambridge, MA, with a drink.

Having said that, since the smoking inside ban DH and I have avoided drinking outside in the UK anyway. It just gets too smoky.

Re: Drinking Alcohol in a public place in Florida
 

I don't know what he's on, but there are hundreds of beer gardens in MA....they're everywhere....

Drinking on licensed premises is a bit different from having a drink while walking along the street though.

Re: Drinking Alcohol in a public place in Florida
 

Here is one in Cambridge:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/charlies-beer-garden-cambridge

Re: Drinking Alcohol in a public place in Florida
 

OK maybe he's never come across one. His favourite is Grendell's Den in Harvard Square. We tried to sit outside with a drink there and were told we couldn't if we had alcohol. It's good to know that in MA they do have beer gardens. Is this uncommon in most states?

Re: Drinking Alcohol in a public place in Florida
 

I don't know, but they've been around everywhere I've been, admittedly only in New England area.

A lot of other places, it's probably not nice sitting outside though, either the bugs or the heat, so lounging indoors with the AC makes more sense than a beer garden.

Re: Drinking Alcohol in a public place in Florida
 

You can call me a liar as I've just remembered that Mum, DH & I sat outside a place in Orlando and I'm pretty certain they had alcoholic drinks! Probably there are different types of licences and Grenell's Den doesn't have a licence to serve booze outside.

Re: Drinking Alcohol in a public place in Florida
 

Many, maybe most places, have exemptions that allow for sidewalk cafes and beer gardens. It's just there is a dividing line, often a physical barrier such as a fence that separates the bar/restaurant from the sidewalk/public place. The UK "pub spilling into the street" and walking down the pavement with an open drink is generally not allowed here.

Re: Drinking Alcohol in a public place in Florida
 

Here in NYC, it's OK to have a drink on the Long Island Rail Road - they actually have small bar carts on the platforms in Penn Station so you can get a beer or a cocktail before boarding your train.

That being said they do ban alcohol on board trains on St Patricks day - the only day of the year you can't have a drink on the train! :thumbdown:

Re: Drinking Alcohol in a public place in Florida
 

But on the Subway, you can get a ticket for eating? Rarely enforced.

Frank R.

Re: Drinking Alcohol in a public place in Florida
 

My sentiment exactly. Its illegal round here to carry alcohol(open container) except on Beale st...the local PD enforce it somewhat, but it is policed most effectively by the flying squad... better known as Mosquito's!! around here during the summer months if you meet one, you give him the respect he deserves ... you call him SIR!. as far as repellant is concerned they just treat that as gravy on the meat... really... stay inside as Bob says and enjoy the AC...