The governing body of a local governmental unit may designate a Social District within its jurisdiction.  Qualified licensees whose licensed premises are contiguous to the commons area within the Social District, and that have been approved for and issued a Social District Permit, may sell alcoholic liquor (beer, wine, mixed spirit drink, spirits, or mixed drinks) on their licensed premises to customers who may then consume the alcoholic liquor within the commons area of the Social District.

Listing of local governmental units that have established Social Districts

Listing of Social District Permits by local governmental unit and licensee

The term commons area is defined by MCL 436.1551(8)(a) as "...an area within a Social District clearly designated and clearly marked by the governing body the local governmental unit that is shared by and contiguous to the premises of at least 2 other qualified licensees.  Commons area does not include the licensed premises of any qualified licensee."  This means the commons area must have at least two qualified licensees whose licensed premises are contiguous to the commons area to qualify to be established as a commons area.  The actual physical licensed premises of the licensees, including any approved outdoor service areas, are not considered part of the commons area.

The term qualified licensee is defined by MCL 436.1551(8)(c):

• A retailer that holds a license, other than a special license, to sell alcoholic liquor for consumption on the licensed premises. (This includes the following license types: Class C, Tavern, A-Hotel, B-Hotel, Club, G-1, G-2, Brewpub.)
• A manufacturer with an on-premises tasting room permit issued under section 536.
• A manufacturer that holds an off-premises tasting room license issued under section 536.
• A manufacturer that holds a joint off-premises tasting room license issued under section 536.

A qualified licensee may apply the to Commission for a Social District Permit using the attached application. The licensee must first obtain approval from the governing body of the local governmental unit before applying for the permit.

A licensee that has been issued a Social District Permit may sell alcoholic liquor for on-premises consumption on its licensed premises only, including an approved outdoor service area, and then customers may remove the alcoholic liquor from the premises to be consumed in the commons area.  A licensee must not sell alcoholic liquor in the commons area or from the licensed premises or outdoor service area directly to someone in the commons area.  Click here for a document with sample diagrams that illustrate which types of sales are allowed and prohibited.

The commons area is not considered part of any licensee's licensed premises. Nevertheless, a licensee that has been issued a Social District Permit must make every effort to ensure that it does not sell alcoholic liquor to a minor or intoxicated person.

Any alcoholic liquor sold to customers for consumption in the commons area by a licensee with a Social District Permit must comply with all of the following:

• The serving container must prominently display the licensee's trade name or logo or some other mark that is unique to the licensee that sold the alcohol.
• The serving container must prominently display a logo or some other mark that is unique to the commons area.
• The serving container is not made of glass.
• The serving container does not have a liquid capacity over 16 ounces.

A customer that purchases alcoholic liquor to be consumed in a commons area must not transport that alcoholic liquor onto the licensed premises of another licensee contiguous to the commons area from which the customer did not purchase the alcoholic liquor, unless the other licensee is a B-Hotel licensee and also holds a Social District Permit.  A licensee, other than a B-Hotel licensee with a Social District Permit, shall not allow alcoholic liquor to be brought onto its licensed premises that was purchased from another licensee with a Social District Permit.  A customer that purchases alcoholic liquor to be consumed in a commons area must not transport that alcoholic liquor outside of the commons area.

If a non-profit organization requests a Special License for a location within a Social District commons area, the governing body of the local unit of government shall delineate the portion of the commons area to be utilized exclusively by the Special Licensee and the portion of the commons area to be used exclusively by Social District permittees. The Special License applicant must submit documentation from the local governmental unit, including a clear diagram, with its application.

Additional sections of the Liquor Control Code for a local governmental unit to consider when establishing a Social District or commons area within a Social District:

MCL 436.1915 - Possessing or consuming alcoholic liquor on public highway or in park, place of amusement, or publicly owned area; authority of local governmental unit or state department or agency to prohibit possession or consumption of alcoholic liquor; definitions.

(1) Alcoholic liquor shall not be consumed on the public highways.

(2) Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4), alcoholic liquor may be possessed or consumed in public parks, public places of amusement, or a publicly owned area not licensed to sell for consumption on the premises.

(3) The governing body of a local governmental unit may prohibit by ordinance, order, or resolution the possession or consumption of alcoholic liquor in any public park, public place of amusement, or publicly owned area that is owned or administered, or both, by that local governmental unit. When land is leased from a department or agency of this state, an ordinance, order, or resolution adopted pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to the approval of the department or agency.

(4) A department or agency of this state that administers public lands may prohibit by rule, order, or resolution the possession or consumption of alcoholic liquor on the public land under its jurisdiction.

(5) As used in this section:

(a) "Local governmental unit" means a county, city, township, village, or charter authority.

(b) "Publicly owned area" means an area under the jurisdiction of a local governmental unit.

MCL 436.1913(1), (2), & (5) - Prohibited conduct; unlicensed premises or place; unlawful consumption of alcoholic liquor; exceptions; construction of section; "consideration" defined.

(1) A person shall not do either of the following:

(a) Maintain, operate, or lease, or otherwise furnish to any person, any premises or place that is not licensed under this act within which the other person may engage in the drinking of alcoholic liquor for consideration.

(b) Obtain by way of lease or rental agreement, and furnish or provide to any other person, any premises or place that is not licensed under this act within which any other person may engage in the drinking of alcoholic liquor for consideration.

(2) A person shall not consume alcoholic liquor in a commercial establishment selling food if the commercial establishment is not licensed under this act. A person owning, operating, or leasing a commercial establishment selling food which is not licensed under this act shall not allow the consumption of alcoholic liquor on its premises.

(5) As used in this section, "consideration" includes any fee, cover charge, ticket purchase, the storage of alcoholic liquor, the sale of food, ice, mixers, or other liquids used with alcoholic liquor drinks, or the purchasing of any service or item, or combination of service and item; or includes the furnishing of glassware or other containers for use in the consumption of alcoholic liquor in conjunction with the sale of food.