Hartford prohibits open containers of alcohol on public sidewalks, streets, and parks under Hartford Municipal Code chapter 27 with limited exceptions for permitted special events and licensed sidewalk dining areas.
Hartford Municipal Code chapter 27 prohibits possessing or consuming open containers of alcoholic beverages in any public street, sidewalk, parking lot, park, or other public place. Exceptions exist for permitted special events such as Riverfront Recapture festivals, the Hartford Marathon expo, and First Night Hartford, where the event organizer holds a Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection special outdoor permit. Licensed sidewalk cafes and outdoor dining patios approved through Hartford Zoning may serve alcohol within the defined service area only. Bushnell Park concerts may include designated beer gardens cordoned by event staff. Fines typically run $90 plus court costs.
Open container on sidewalk, drinking in public park, alcohol in street, beyond patio service area, no event permit posted, container in vehicle.
See how Hartford's public alcohol use rules stack up against other locations.
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