There are so many bars and restaurants in the downtown districts of Lake and Sumter Counties, that moving around is almost mandatory and being able to carry your drink around is a bonus if your group wants to move along and you haven’t finished your margarita.

Fortunately, some cities have figured this out and have put forth rules to guide you through the open container questions. 

In Leesburg, famous for its Bikefest, there are open-air vendors and participating bars so instead of guzzling your beer to move to the next venue, you can sip and stroll if you stay within the boundaries of the downtown district. 

According to Leesburg PD’s Sergeant Shannon Walsh, there are exceptions to the open container laws which are stipulated in the Leesburg city ordinance for events and festivals.

“If there is an organized event put on by the local businesses then it is allowed,” she says. So, for example, the upcoming Summer Shenanigans Bar Crawl put on by participating Downtown Leesburg Businesses, open-air drinking is supported because they have wrist bands, tickets and an organized event.

Clermont police officer Corporal Alexa Dougherty explains that her city is very supportive of the downtown events and waterfront festivals, so long as the participants are respectful of the ordinances the city has established. 

“We have events like Food Truck Fridays and Sips -n- Salsa Festival throughout the year and we think it’s great for the businesses and communities,” she says. “It’s just important to stay within what we call the ‘entertainment district’ so it’s important to stay aware of the boundaries.” 

Eustis and Tavares have similar laws, and in 2018, Mount Dora set out specific rules to allow downtown visitors and residents to patronize bars and restaurant and then walk with their beverage to see the sunset at the docks or enjoy one of the city’s festival with a drink in a plastic cup. Just like Clermont, the designated area is downtown in the “entertainment district.”

Each city has their own rules, which can be found on their websites under “ordinances.” The following is specific to Mount Dora, but is a template to follow for the other cities. 

• Drinks must be sold by a licensed and registered bar or restaurant located inside the “Entertainment District.”
• Drinks must be in plastic cups that hold 16 ounces or less. (Some cities can be 20 oz.)
• Plastic cups must have a marking that identifies the registered establishment where they were purchased.
• Establishments can only dispense one open alcoholic beverage to any one person at a time.
• Patrons can only possess one open alcoholic beverage at any one time.
• Customers cannot purchase and consume the open alcoholic beverage between 2:00 am and 7:00 a.m.
• It will remain unlawful to walk in the district with an open alcoholic beverage in a can, bottle or glass.
• All state laws still apply.

As for The Villages and their individual town squares, open containers are permitted so long as you purchase your beverage at the official Bar Huts, which are marked with specific logos. For Sawgrass Grove, the beverages can be enjoyed anywhere as long as they are in plastic cups and do not go past the sidewalk and into the parking lot. No outside beverages are allowed.