Visitors to Anoka will now be able to drink alcoholic beverages and walk around outside year-round in a designated area downtown near the Red River.

The Anoka social district, which initially started as a 30-day trial in 2023, is open year-round, effective Oct. 7, with a few exceptions.

The district currently has 12 different businesses that allow patrons to take alcoholic beverages outdoors, without violating any open container laws.

Anoka County officials amended ordinances to allow their social district to remain open through 2025 and each year thereafter, continuing its operating hours of 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.

Anoka Mayor Erik Skogquist said the city does not expect much business in January, but the patio season months, from May to October, do not account for the n

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