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Navy Pier Open Alcohol Ordinance Approved By City Council

By Rachel Cromidas in News on Jun 17, 2015 6:15PM

As if wandering the consumerist labyrinth that is Navy Pier in a caramel-and-cheesy popcorn-fueled daze isn't enough, patrons will now be able to walk around with open alcohol purchased on-site.

The City Council voted to approve a new ordinance allowing open alcohol at the pier Wednesday, the Sun-Times reports.

Before this ordinance, drinking was prohibited at Navy Pier outside of a licensed establishment with seats, unless the drink was purchased at a kiosk.

But starting this summer, visitors to Navy Pier's taverns and bars will be allowed to "consume and carry" the open containers of alcohol they've purchased as they stroll the park grounds, both indoors and outdoors. The alcohol will need to be in "a disposable cup that clearly identifies the name of the establishment" it came from.

Navy Pier parking garages would be off-limits, and ordinance violators could face fines between $100 and $500 or six months in jail. And no one carrying open alcohol at the pier will be allowed to leave the pier with it.