Hartford, CT Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Except as permitted in subsection (c), no person shall consume any alcoholic liquor, or possess any open container of alcoholic liquor, upon or within the limits of any public highway, public area, or parking area within the city. For the purposes of this section, without limiting the generality of this subsection, the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the possession of an open container of alcoholic liquor in parked vehicles within or upon parking areas or a public highway or sidewalk is a violation of this section.(c)Exception. Consumption of alcoholic liquor and possession of an open container of alcoholic liquor is permitted during any function, festival, event or celebration conducted on or within a public highway, public area, or parking area pursuant to any law, statute, ordinance, resolution or permit authorizing sale and consumption of liquor in or upon such public highway, public area or parking area.(d)Penalty. A person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be summoned or brought to community court pursuant to P.A. 97-199. A person who is summoned or brought before the community court cannot invoke any of the appeal rights provided by section 1-5 of the Hartford Municipal Code. The superior court judge assigned to the community court may impose a penalty of community service, a fine up to ninety dollars ($90.00) or a jail sentence up to twenty-five (25) days to any person who is convicted of violating any provision of this chapter.