Although some were in the works before the pandemic, entertainment districts have taken off across the city in the COVID era as business owners searched for a balance of safety and serving patrons. The River Market, SoMa, Argenta and Hillcrest all created their own entertainment districts, allowing patrons to lawfully carry alcoholic beverages onto sidewalks and streets within district limits.
The Little Rock Board of Directors voted this week to allow the creation of another temporary entertainment district along Third Street downtown. People wearing wristbands can now sip and stroll within the district from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. through Oct. 6.
According to the city’s resolution, the district officially spans between the “intersection of East Second Street and River Market Avenue to include the right-of-way, south to East Third Street; and the boundary of the intersection of East Third Street and River Market Avenue, continuing south on River Market Avenue to East Fourth Street, continuing west on East Fourth Street to Cumberland Street, continuing north on Cumberland Street to East Third Street, continuing to East Third Street to the intersection of East Third Street and River Market Avenue.”
The board also approved the extension of Hillcrest’s entertainment district for three First Thursday events, lasting from 4-9 p.m. on Aug. 5, Sept. 2 and Oct. 7. The Hillcrest entertainment district first opened in February and runs along Kavanaugh Boulevard between Monroe and Walnut streets, as well as sections of Palm and Beechwood south of Kavanaugh.