Dine. Drink. Discover.
EDC Documents
Ordinance Establishing EDC for Downtown
In 2024, the Winchester Board of Commissioners approved an Entertainment Destination Center (EDC) in Downtown Winchester. The EDC is a project to strengthen local businesses and attract new businesses while enhancing the experience of those visiting historic Downtown Winchester.
According to Kentucky law, licensed businesses located in an EDC can allow patrons to leave their premises with alcoholic beverages and consume those drinks at other establishments or in EDC common areas. The EDC allows individuals to take to-go alcoholic beverages in designated cups from participating businesses while they stroll and explore other businesses within the EDC district, partake in outdoor events and enjoy the district.
The hours for the Downtown Winchester EDC are 10 a.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. Saturday to 1 a.m. Sunday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Requests can be made to open the EDC on other days with approval required by the Winchester Board of Commissioners.
Businesses that wish to be included in the EDC must sign a participation agreement with the City of Winchester. Those establishments wishing not to participate, should display signage indicating alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the premises.
In Winchester, the EDC includes the area (see map above) bordered on the north by the railroad tracks on North Main Street; from the railroad tracks near Depot Street east to North Highland Street; from Depot Street south on North Highland Street to Ogden Court, then west from South Highland Street on Ogden Court to Wall Alley; then North on Wall Alley from Ogden Court to East Washington Street; then East Washington Street from Wall Alley to Main Street; and north on North Main Street to the railroad tracks at Depot Street. The EDC excludes religious establishments and schools/childcare centers within these limits.
Signs have been installed at the boundaries to educate the public on boundary limits and the days and times of operation.
While visiting the EDC, keep in mind:
- All state and local laws will be strictly enforced within the district, including public intoxication and disorderly conduct laws
- All cups MUST be disposed of properly in waste containers. Littering is prohibited and will be strictly enforced.
- Patrons MUST walk on sidewalks and utilize crosswalks within the district.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an Entertainment Destination Center? The EDC allows patrons at participating restaurants and bars to leave the premise with an alcoholic beverage in a specially marked cup.
Where can I have alcoholic beverages in downtown Winchester? Alcoholic beverages purchased from a business in the EDC must be consumed within the boundaries. (See the EDC map)
When are alcoholic beverages allowed in the EDC? The hours for the EDC are 10 a.m. Friday to 1 a.m. Saturdays, 11 a.m. Saturdays to 1 a.m. Sundays and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays. Requests can be made to open the EDC on other days with approval required by the Winchester Board of Commissioners.
Can I take my EDC cup anywhere within the Downtown Winchester EDC? Businesses participating and located in the EDC may allow patrons to leave its premises with alcoholic beverage drinks and consume those drinks at other premises or any EDC common area. Taking alcoholic beverages outside the physical boundaries of the EDC is prohibited.
Can I purchase an EDC cup and put my own drink in it to walk around Downtown Winchester? No. Only drinks purchased from a participating business in the EDC are allowed by state law. No cans, glass bottles, or outside drinks are permitted within the boundaries, except as approved or during designated special events. Anyone with alcohol on public property not purchased from a participating business during permitted hours or during a designated special event can be cited and/or arrested.
Can I bring my EDC cup back to another event? No. District cups are only permitted for a single use when leaving a downtown business to walk to another location within the EDC.
What are the repercussions for those exiting the boundaries with alcohol? Should patrons leave the boundary, they can be cited and/or arrested.
Are other Kentucky cities creating an Entertainment Destination Center like The District EDC? In August 2016, the State of Kentucky adopted legislation allowing municipalities to create local Entertainment Destination Center’s in their tourism and convention districts. To date, more than a dozen municipalities have passed local ordinances to create these, including Bowling Green, Paducah, Danville, Owensboro, Louisville, Lexington, Morehead, Covington, Maysville, Midway, Bellevue, Somerset and Corbin.