The Sacramento City Council on Tuesday approved six additional entertainment zones, expanding the number of areas where participating businesses may sell alcoholic beverages to go during permitted special events.

The additions bring Sacramento’s total number of entertainment zones from five to 11. The new zones include areas in downtown and midtown and expand the program into commercial districts along Broadway and in Oak Park:

• 9th and I Street: 9th to 10th streets, I to J streets
• 14th and Broadway: 9th to 19th streets, X Street to Burnett Way
• 24th and Broadway: 20th to 28th streets, X Street to 1st Avenue
• 24th and K Street: 23rd to 25th streets, Jazz to Kayak alleys
• Arena: 3rd to 7th streets, J to L streets
• Oak Park Triangle: 34th to 36th streets, 2nd to 4th avenues

“Expanding the program creates more opportunities for businesses to participate in nearby events and gives organizers another way to activate public spaces,” said Tina Lee-Vogt, the City’s nighttime economy manager. “These new zones can help strengthen neighborhood events and create welcoming places where community members can gather and connect.”

What entertainment zones allow

Entertainment zones are designated areas where licensed bars, restaurants, breweries and wineries may sell alcoholic beverages to go during approved special events. Attendees may carry and consume those beverages within the outdoor public areas identified in the event permit.

Establishing an entertainment zone does not permanently allow open alcoholic beverage containers within its boundaries. Alcohol may be carried and consumed in public areas only during approved events and within the dates, hours and boundaries specified in the permit.

Building on the program’s first year

The City Council adopted an ordinance establishing Sacramento’s entertainment zone program in June 2025, initially designating three zones. The ordinance followed the passage of Senate Bill 969, which authorized cities and counties throughout California to establish entertainment zones.

In October 2025, the City Council amended the ordinance to add two more zones, bringing the total to five:

• 20th and K Street: 20th and K streets
• Ali Youssefi Square: Ali Youssefi Square and the adjacent area, including K Street between 7th and 8th streets
• Convention Center: The area surrounding the SAFE Credit Union Convention and Performing Arts Center
• 17th and R Street: 16th to 18th streets, Quill Alley to S Street
• Handle District: 18th, 19th, Capitol and L streets

How the zones are regulated

Each adopted entertainment zone has a specific management plan developed with input from City departments, participating businesses and community careholders to regulate its operations and ensure public safety.

The plan designates a zone lead, establishes the approved area and operating hours, requires the boundaries to be clearly marked and outlines age verification and beverage container requirements. Each activation also requires a security plan reviewed and approved by the Sacramento Police Department.

An approved special event permit is required before a zone can be activated. Participating businesses must hold an eligible license from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control and comply with applicable state and local requirements. Alcohol consumption is limited to the public areas approved in the event permit.

Results from events held so far

Entertainment zones have been activated during the Rainbow Festival, Terra Madre Americas, an NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament fan zone, the Concerts in the Park launch party and Campground at Ali Youssefi Square.

Businesses participating in the 2025 Rainbow Festival reported increased sales compared with the previous year’s event. Businesses involved in the first weekend of Campground, the City’s first recurring entertainment zone activation, reported a 30% increase in visitors compared with prior weekends.

More information, including maps of the approved zones and their management plans, is available on the City’s Entertainment Zones webpage.

Header image provided by Visit Sacramento, Courtesy of Francisco Chavira.