Southaven, MS Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Sec. 8-334 is the City of Southaven's open container exception. Under Sec. 8-331 the Board of Aldermen created the Silo Square Leisure and Recreation District on the authority of MCA 1972 § 67-1-101, and Sec. 8-333 describes the tract of 29.29 acres more or less by reference to Getwell Road and Silo Square Lane South. Inside that boundary a patron, guest or member of an on premises retail alcoholic beverage permittee can carry an open container out of the licensed premises and possess and drink it anywhere in the district.

The conditions are numeric. Drinks leave the premises only in a paper or plastic cup not larger than sixteen (16) fluid ounces, never in a can, bottle or glass container, and it is unlawful to exit with more than one (1) open container. A person cannot enter a licensed premises with an alcoholic beverage, whether bought there or elsewhere. Each permittee that takes part must post a map of the district boundaries at every point of egress and place a city approved garbage container at entrances to and exits from its premises. Sec. 8-334(5) says no permittee is required to let patrons take drinks out, and Sec. 8-334(9) bars any licensed premises from staying open later than other restaurants or licensed premises in the city.

Sec. 8-332 defines alcoholic beverages for this article as any alcoholic liquid, including wines of more than five (5) percent of alcohol by weight, capable of being consumed as a beverage. Sec. 8-335 makes the police department responsible for enforcing the boundaries. The smoking ban in Title X, Chapter 3 still applies in public places, and Sec. 8-334(8) preserves each officer's power to disperse a gathering large enough to interfere with public travel. Sec. 8-307 adds that the chapter does not authorize any sale or consumption otherwise prohibited by Mississippi law or city ordinance.