Gwinnett Approves Outdoor Alcohol at Infinite Energy Center, Mall of Georgia

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — It's now legal to drink alcohol at public outdoor venues in Gwinnett County -- a couple of them, anyway.

The Gwinnett Board of Commissioners on Tuesday voted to allow outdoor alcohol consumption at Infinite Energy Center and the Mall of Georgia.

The idea behind the ordinance is to allow tailgaters to enjoy themselves before, or even during, events at both spots.

The county already has announced plans for a new entertainment district at the Infinite Energy Center.

The Gwinnett Convention and Visitors Bureau has put out a call to developers interested in turning the center's campus into a mixed-use shopping, dining and drinking destination.

Like the arena at the Infinite Energy Center, Mall of Georgia often hosts concerts and hosts an outdoor summer movie series and Fourth of July and New Year's Eve parties, among other non-shopping events.

The measure was approved during the commissioners' business session Tuesday afternoon.

The language of the amendment to the county's alcoholic beverage code provides outdoor-drinking exemptions for "the Gwinnett Entertainment District" and "a super-regional shopping destination."

Image of proposed Infinite Energy Center development courtesy Gwinnett County