# Where can you drink in public - it's mostly a crap shoot **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 23, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-drink-in-public-its-mostly-a-crap-shoot/677036 "2013-12-23T21:12:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-drink-in-public-its-mostly-a-crap-shoot/677036/1 "2013-12-23T21:12:00Z")
Only 17 states have an outright ban and the rest seem to leave it to local authorities. But that’s not where the confusion ends as [this](http://www.businessinsider.com/where-you-can-drink-in-public-map-2013-12)article and US map show. > [@](#): > > But what “public drinking” means around the country is a whole different story. Explains Satran: > > > [@](#): > > > > But this map actually masks the true extent of the confusion, because the various municipal and state statutes banning the behavior define the offense in myriad ways. They also stipulate a huge range of penalties for offenders, from a simple fine of $25, payable by mail (New York City), to a ticket of up to $1,000 or a jail sentence of up to 6 months (Hawaii and New Mexico). ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-drink-in-public-its-mostly-a-crap-shoot/677036/2 "2013-12-23T21:23:50Z")
Here in NJ there is no state ban and there is no public intoxication law either. Bottoms up! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-drink-in-public-its-mostly-a-crap-shoot/677036/3 "2013-12-23T21:29:52Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > Here in NJ there is no state ban and there is no public intoxication law either. Bottoms up! They had to give you people _some_ incentive to stay. _flees_ ---
**Author:** ![Lamar\_Mundane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-drink-in-public-its-mostly-a-crap-shoot/677036/4 "2013-12-23T21:47:20Z")
- Towns that allow drinking in most or all areas. > [@](#): > > Butte, MT That’s only fair. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-drink-in-public-its-mostly-a-crap-shoot/677036/5 "2013-12-23T22:29:34Z")
In my neck of the woods (Chicago-ish) one can generally drink in forest preserves, keeping a certain distance from the parking area. One can absolutely not walk down the street/sidewalk with a beer. Certain exceptions are made locally for street fairs and such, with boundaries plainly marked. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-drink-in-public-its-mostly-a-crap-shoot/677036/6 "2013-12-23T22:39:12Z")
Visit Savannah, GA: Tourists are often shocked when asked whether they’d like a “go cup” to sip as they stroll around the historic district! (Sixteen ounces or smaller, one per adult, paper, plastic, or styrofoam only. Same rules due east at the beach at Tybee Island.) And if you like the idea of drinking in public, go to SAV for St. Pat’s, so that you can drink with about a half-million like-minded souls. (The map isn’t entirely accurate, though. Savannah’s public drinking is limited mostly to the entertainment district, and passively or actively discouraged elsewhere.) ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2013, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-can-you-drink-in-public-its-mostly-a-crap-shoot/677036/7 "2013-12-23T22:58:51Z")
When I used to commute via train, they had the brown bag rule. You couldn’t have an open alcohol container on the trains or platforms but if you kept it in a brown paper bag so it wasn’t obvious, it was all good. Of course if your Mad Dog 40 had a wardrobe malfunction and you were too blitzed to help get it back into the bag, then I guess by definition you were in the bag and fair game.