Tailgating for the UF-Miami football game? Gainesville's open container law has changed

Since the days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gator football fans have become accustomed to strolling along the streets of Gainesville's midtown district, beer in hand, waiting for kickoff in "The Swamp."

Those days are over.

The Gainesville City Commission last year passed an ordinance that took effect Jan. 1, rescinding a previous ordinance change enacted in 2021 that allowed residents to openly drink alcohol on city streets as a way to provide more flexibility during the pandemic for businesses such as bars and restaurants.

At the time, some city leaders, including Mayor Harvey Ward and Commissioner Cynthia Chestnut, cited local gun violence as their prime reason for supporting a ban on open containers.

Public drinking: Split Gainesville commission ban open containers, create 'entertainment districts'

The new rules prohibit people from having an open container unless they are in one of two designed Sip & Stroll areas, also known as Arts, Culture and Entertainment districts, between 8 a.m. and midnight.

Those areas include most of downtown Gainesville south of University Avenue, down South Main Street to Depot Park, and the Grove Street District, which is between Northwest Second Street and Northwest Fourth Street, and bordered to the north by Northwest 12th Avenue and to the south by Northwest Eighth Avenue.

Brandon Hatzel, the Gainesville Police Department's public information officer, told The Sun on Thursday that the University Athletic Association did not apply for a special permit ahead of the Gators' season opener at 3:30 p.m. Saturday against in-state rival Miami.

"There is no open container for our midtown district on game day," he said. This includes the area on West University Avenue between Gale Lemerand Drive and Northwest 17th Street that is closed to vehicular traffic three hours before kickoff.

That doesn't mean officers will be out in full force looking for those breaking the new law. Hatzel said at least for the first few games, "we don't expect citations and summonses to be issued."

"We have told our officers to use discretion and just to inform the community of the changes of the new city ordinance," he said.

The city's open container rules do not apply to those tailgating on the University of Florida campus.

UFPD Capt. Trever Henderson, the department's public information officer, said Thursday that officers on campus will only be enforcing state laws such as underage drinking.

"We're just committed to providing a safe, the great UAA saying, 'a championship environment,' for all who attend," he said. "Our biggest concern this game is definitely going to be overheating. ... It's going to be hot, it's going to be nasty."

The National Weather Service is calling for a high near 93 degrees with a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Tailgating for the UF-Miami football game? Gainesville's open container law has changed