Some alcoholic drinks will be allowed along the Tampa Riverwalk.
Tampa City Council voted Thursday to allow people to have open containers in special cups near certain bars or restaurants along the Riverfront.
Several residents spoke for and against the change. The CEO of Mise En Place restaurant, Mary Ann Ference, favors allowing people to carry open containers. Mise En Place also own Sono Café at the Tampa Museum of Art along the Riverwalk.
But Ellen Snelling from the Tampa Alcohol Coalition expressed several concerns.
It passed, 4-2, with council members Charlie Miranda and Frank Reddick voting “no” and Mary Mulhern absent. After the vote, city council unanimously supported a motion by Reddick that the Tampa Police Department report back in six months on any issues the new policy has created.
