Proposed Pearl Square open-container district would let visitors walk with drinks in designated areas

A proposal before Jacksonville City Council could give people visiting Pearl Square more freedom to walk between businesses and shared spaces with an alcoholic drink

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A new proposal could allow people to carry alcoholic drinks through a designated area of Pearl Square in Downtown Jacksonville.

City Councilman Joe Carlucci introduced Resolution 2026-0817, supporting a request to establish a 1.52-acre Pearl Square Open Container District bounded by Ashley, Julia, Pearl and Church streets.

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“A glass of wine and let my kids play cornhole,” Carlucci said.

The proposal would apply only to designated private property, allowing visitors to carry drinks between businesses and shared spaces without taking them onto surrounding public streets.

“So really, it’s just for one block at Pearl Square, and this is only contained within a private property and a private road,” Carlucci said.

The district would allow specially marked containers of up to 16 ounces from 11 a.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays and until 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays. Individual businesses’ alcohol-service rules and operating hours would remain unchanged.

Carlucci compared the concept to St. George Street in St. Augustine, describing it as “a walkable space” with restaurants, a pedestrian plaza and green space.

Andrew Deming, who is opening Bar Citra at Pearl Square, supports the proposal.

“I was excited to hear about the potential of the container district. I think the way it’s being conceived seems smart in the boundaries,” Deming said.

Bar Citra will serve coffee, breakfast, lunch, dinner, wine and beer. Deming said the district fits the development’s vision for walkability and outdoor experiences.

“The ability to have the line between indoor and outdoor blur in a really nice way is something that’s exciting to us,” he said.

Deming said customers could enjoy a drink in the park, relax near the fountains or visit nearby businesses. He also emphasized that Bar Citra is not intended to be a late-night destination.

“We’re not a midnight, 2 a.m., kind of place,” he said.

Pearl Square’s first mixed-use residential building, Vandeveer, includes 205 apartments and planned ground-floor businesses. Announced tenants include Bar Citra, Buchner’s Biergarten, PopUp Bagels, Go Greek Yogurt, JETSET Pilates and Pearl Street Nails. JETSET Pilates and Buchner’s Biergarten are expected to open in fall 2026, with other announced Vandeveer tenants expected in 2027.

Carlucci said the proposal is intended to support a walkable, family-friendly atmosphere rather than create a nightlife district.

“The city doesn’t approve this. The state has to approve it,” he said.

The Downtown Investment Authority has submitted its recommendation. City Council will vote on the city’s recommendation before the proposal goes to the state for approval.

If approved, the open-container allowance would remain within the designated Pearl Square property and would not extend to the surrounding public streets.