Starting Thursday, patrons of participating local restaurants in downtown Foley will be allowed to take alcoholic beverages outside the businesses.

The opening of the Foley Arts and Entertainment District Thursday, Nov. 21, will coincide with the monthly downtown Third Thursday celebration, which will include the official opening of the new Cat Alley walkway and public seating area, near 106 N. Alston St., at 4 p.m.

The alley was a Foley Main Street Design committee project in partnership with the City of Foley, Main Street Alabama, Foley Art Center, Baldwin County Board of Realtors, Foley Revitalization and Beautification Advisory Board and with the cooperation of the downtown business BrightSpeed.

For the Third Thursday celebration, businesses will extend hours from 5 to 7 p.m., offering special promotions, refreshments and entertainment for locals and visitors. There will be a turkey hunt for six Foley Main Street turkeys hidden around town. 

The entertainment district will bring more business and activity to downtown, as the city’s aim is to enhance community engagement and cultural activities. Foley City Council approved the creation of the entertainment district in the downtown area west of Alabama 59 earlier this year.

Participating businesses include The Gathering Place, Foley Brunch and Supper Club, Scuttlebutt Pub, Southern Shores Eats and Drinks and Mama Mia's Pizzeria.

District hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.

Drinks must be in approved containers purchased at the participating district restaurants and bars. Approved cups are a non-glass container that holds no more than 16 ounces of liquid. The businesses provide the cups when selling a drink. The containers must have the Arts and Entertainment District logo to qualify for the program.

Drinks taken from one district bar or restaurant cannot be carried into another participating business.

The Downtown Foley Arts and Entertainment District's boundaries will be posted around town and the sidewalks are marked with boundary stencils.

Drinking will not be allowed in some outside areas in the district, such as parking lots. All restrictions against underage drinking and public intoxication would also continue to be enforced in the district.