New Nashville law banning alcohol on open-air party vehicles in effect

Cassandra Stephenson, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read

Open containers of alcohol are now prohibited on unenclosed, operating party vehicles in Davidson County, but pending legislation could ultimately open up avenues to bring booze back on board.

Metro Council passed the new ordinance barring party vehicle passengers from possessing open containers of beer and other alcohol on open-air party vehicles — including unenclosed party buses, trailers and pedal taverns — alongside other first-time local industry regulations on Oct. 19.

The law went into effect Wednesday.

Violations are subject to civil citations carrying a possible fine of $50 after adjudication.

A team of six Metro Nashville Police officers and a sergeant were set to be positioned near the entertainment vehicles' pickup and drop-off locations Wednesday to "remind businesses and their patrons of the new ordinance and seek voluntary compliance," police stated.

Officers will work with personnel from the Transportation Licensing Commission, which is now tasked with regulating the vehicles, and the Metro Beer Board to monitor compliance.

More: Beer on board: New bill proposes permitting process for beer on Nashville party vehicles

Nashville police officers on patrol as part of the department's Entertainment District Initiative will also enforce the new ordinance Thursday through Sunday nights "as appropriate."

Industry operators have protested the restriction, saying removing alcohol from the entertainment vehicles would spell the end of their businesses.

The Honky Tonk bus rides through downtown Nashville, Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, to protest a recent ordinance that would prohibit alcohol on unenclosed vehicles.
The Honky Tonk bus rides through downtown Nashville, Friday, Oct. 29, 2021, to protest a recent ordinance that would prohibit alcohol on unenclosed vehicles.

Prior to the ordinance's passage in October, large entertainment vehicles had gone largely unregulated.

Metro Council member Freddie O'Connell, the ordinance's author, introduced a new bill earlier this month that would create a path for party vehicles to secure bring-your-own-beer and beer sale permits.

Should the bill pass, party vehicles approved by the Metro Transportation Licensing Commission would be able to apply for such permits through the Metro Beer Permit Board. Unenclosed vehicles without BYO or beer sale permits would still be barred from allowing open alcohol containers on board while the vehicle is in operation.

The earliest the bill could pass is Dec. 21, meaning pedal taverns and other open-air vehicles will be barred from allowing open alcohol containers during operation for at least 21 days.

Customers drink on a party bus on Broadway in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Sept. 24, 2021.
Customers drink on a party bus on Broadway in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Sept. 24, 2021.

If the bill passes, pedal taverns and pedal carriages will be able to apply for beer permits as soon as the legislation goes into effect, since they are already regulated and permitted to operate by the MTLC.

Larger open-air vehicles may face a longer period before they can apply for the beer permits. Because they were previously unregulated at the local level, these vehicles will first need to apply for operating permits from the MTLC.

The MTLC is not expected to finalize its regulatory structure for larger entertainment vehicles until April.

Reach reporter Cassandra Stephenson at ckstephenson@tennessean.com or at (731) 694-7261. Follow Cassandra on Twitter at @CStephenson731.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville law banning alcohol on open-air party vehicles takes effect