The Tampa City Council is considering an ordinance that would allow people to carry alcoholic beverages on the Riverwalk.

Customers would be required to buy their beer or cocktails at eight locations along the Riverwalk:

  • Tampa's Marriott Waterside Hotel,
  • Malio's Prime Steakhouse,
  • Maestro's at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts,
  • Ulele restaurant,
  • Sheraton Riverwalk Hotel,
  • Tampa Convention Center,
  • the Sono Café at the Tampa Museum of Art
  • or the Columbia Café inside the Tampa Bay History Center.

At those locations, alcoholic drinks would be poured into special cups. From 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., customers would be allowed to take those special cups along the Riverwalk.

"We want to energize this [Riverwalk]; we want to bring it to life," said Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. "We want people to enjoy it, and alcohol is a small part of that."

But some say alcohol along the Riverwalk could draw the wrong crowd. Councilman Frank Reddick said he's been getting a lot of complaints from downtown residents.

"I just think the city is moving in the wrong direction when we're supposed to have a family-oriented facility out there," he said.

Reddick initially voted against the proposal. He is worried about liability issues and drunks.

"We got an open river there," Reddick said. "The only thing holding a person up is that rail."

"Obviously, everyone has to drink responsibly," Buckhorn said. "We're not encouraging people to overindulge. We don't want to turn this into a big party."

But the mayor said limiting the opportunity to certain establishments would prevent the party atmosphere.

Tampa City Council is expected to have a final vote on the matter, after a public hearing, on Nov. 6.