Social District In Gastonia Will Allow You To Drink Between Bars

A man drinks a pint of beer on November 26, 2004 in Glasgow, Scotland.

Gastonia just got a lot cooler!

Starting next week, there will be a new social district opening, which will allow you to drink on the street. According to WSOC-TV, the city announced on Friday that the social district will open from Main Avenue, to Broad Street.

Other places that have social districts include places like Savannah.

The goal of this new social district is to increase downtown walkability and exposure to businesses.

To be able to drink in the social district, you’ll need to have a designated cup, with a specific logo on it. So there’s no bringing your own drinks from home!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PLANS

According to the city, the district will be open from 11am, to midnights Monday through Saturday, and from 11am to 10pm on Sundays.

I think this is a great idea, and they should try to implement these social districts in other areas of Charlotte too. Think of how great it would be if Thomas Street in Plaza Midwood became a social district!

9 Simple 3-Ingredient Cocktails Sure To Impress Your Guests

It can be so easy to host a party (or come home after a long day) and just open some wine or a beer. Or maybe you want some liquor but take the easy route with a vodka soda or Jack and Coke. But what if you could up your cocktail game with minimal extra effort? And in doing so feel and seem a whole lot fancier. That’s right, there are plenty of simple 3-ingredient cocktails that won’t take you any time to make. But they will take your drinks to the next level. Many of these can be made with the bar supplies you already have at home, though a couple may require a trip to the liquor store. But you probably needed to restock anyway.

One of the drinks on my list, is actually what I think will end up being my drink of summer 2023- the Aperol Spritz. You’ll also find recipes for some classics, as well as some drinks you’ve probably ever ordered from a bar. No need to wait for date night or girls’ night out to enjoy a drink. No matter what kind of liquor you prefer one of these simple cocktails is sure to be your new go-to!

Manhattan
Ingredients

2 ounces rye whiskey

1 ounce sweet vermouth

2 dashes Angostura bitters

Simply mix the three ingredients, stir, and pour into a glass. If you’d like to be a little more fancy add a brandied cherry or lemon twist.
Aperol Spritz
Ingredients

3 ounces Prosecco

2 ounces Aperol

1 ounce club soda

Add the prosecco, Aperol, and club soda to wine glass with ice and stir. Serve with a garnish of orange if desired.
Gimlet
Ingredients

2 1/2 ounces gin

1/2 ounce lime juice

1/2 ounce simple syrup

Add the three ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice, shake well, then strain into a chilled glass. If desired garnish with a lime.
Dry Martini
Ingredients

2 1/2 ounces gin

1/2 ounce dry vermouth

1 dash orange bitters

Add the ingredients to a mixing glass, stir with ice then strain into a glass and garnish with a lemon.
Negroni
Ingredients

1 ounce gin

1 ounce Campari

1 ounce sweet vermouth

Add the ingredients to a mixing glass, mix with ice until chilled and pour into a serving glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
Amaretto Sour
Ingredients:

2 ounces amaretto

2 ounces simple syrup

1 ounce lemon juice

Combine the ingredients, shake with ice, and strain into a drinking glass. Garnish with an orange or cherries.
Moscow Mule
Ingredients

2 ounces vodka

1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed

3 ounces ginger beer, chilled

Fill a copper mug with ice, then pour in vodka and lime juice. Top with ginger beer.
Paloma
Ingredients

2 ounces tequila

1/2 ounce lime juice, freshly squeezed

Grapefruit soda, chilled, to top

Add tequila and lime juice to a glass, top with grapefruit soda, and stir gently. Garnish with a salted rim and a lime wedge if desired.
Dark N Stormy
Ingredients

2 ounces Gosling’s rum

1/2 ounce lime juice

Ginger beer, to top

Combine rum and lime juice in a tall glass with ice, then top with ginger beer and garnish with lime.