You can now legally walk with drinks on SF's Valencia St

by kaycebasqueson 6/12/2025, 3:55 PMwith 66 comments

by TulliusCiceroon 6/12/2025, 4:06 PM

Nice change I suppose, though it's still insane that the US has such strong prohibitions against drinking alcohol in public imo.

by why_aton 6/12/2025, 4:24 PM

>How it works: To participate, patrons must show ID at a participating bar or restaurant and receive a branded wristband

Ugh, I don't want to get raging drunk on a bar crawl, I just want to be able to sip a beer that I brought from my house as I walk down the street.

by almosthereon 6/12/2025, 4:08 PM

It is a little strange that drinking in public was more offensive than walking naked and pooping on sidewalks... but whatever

by ortusduxon 6/12/2025, 4:11 PM

Seattle passed HB 1515 last month, which relaxed open container laws in prep for the upcoming world cup matches.

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=1515&Year=202...

by bihlaon 6/12/2025, 4:11 PM

This is essentially a no-op measure. There is already no enforcement against drinking in public anywhere in SF

by trillicon 6/12/2025, 4:06 PM

Can you also legally Jaywalk with drinks?

https://www.rmdlaw.com/blog/california-new-jaywalking-law-im...

by simple10on 6/12/2025, 4:38 PM

They never really enforced open containers (walking around with drinks) in the Mission District around Valencia St unless someone was causing a problem. My guess is this change just makes it easier for police to identify who's over 21 with the wrist bands.

by asveikauon 6/12/2025, 4:14 PM

They should close Valencia to cars.

by fourseventyon 6/12/2025, 4:17 PM

I mean, people already walk around in SF openly using hard drugs and shitting on sidewalks and they are left alone.