Frequently Asked Questions

A Common Consumption Area (CCA) allows legal patrons to carry and consume alcoholic beverages within the CCA boundaries in compliance with the CCA laws. Put another way, it creates a social drinking area outside of the licensed premises where alcoholic beverages are sold. 

The City of Manhattan has established one CCA in certain public areas of Manhattan’s historic Downtown. The district’s boundaries are described in City Code Chapter 4, Article V, and a boundary map is provided below:

• Boundary Map

The City has marked the boundaries and installed the following signs:  

• Boundary Sign
• Informational Sign

Additional pavement markings at boundaries will also be in place. Please pay attention and stay within the designated CCA. 

The Downtown CCA is operational between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. every day of the week, all year round. 

It depends upon the business. The Downtown CCA only allows alcoholic beverages to be removed from a participating business. Each business located within the CCA can decide whether to participate in the CCA or to allow you to carry drinks into their businesses.  Look for stickers or signs at each business or ask the business directly about its participation in the CCA. 

No. You may only consume alcoholic beverages in the Downtown CCA that were purchased at a participating business that was approved by the State of Kansas and the City.  

The business must ensure that the alcoholic beverage is in a single-serve, non-glass container that displays the licensee's trade name or logo or other identifying mark that is unique to the business.  

No. It is unlawful to possess an open container or consume an alcoholic beverage inside of a vehicle in the Downtown CCA. 

Yes. The City Manager can suspend participation in the Downtown CCA for special events or conditions or for public safety. Except in the event of an emergency, the City Manager will provide at least 5 days notice to participating businesses.

Not usually. However, the City Manager or the director of the Riley County Police Department may close the streets for special events or conditions, or in the interest of public safety.  

The City of Manhattan holds the State of Kansas permit for the Downtown CCA. 

• Downtown CCA Permit

An on-premise licensee that is located within or immediately adjacent to the Downtown CCA can request permission from both ABC and the City to participate in the Downtown CCA. The licensee must first submit ABC-838 form to ABC and then present the ABC Director’s approval to the City as part of the City’s Downtown CCA participant permit application. The licensee may also ask the City to serve at an additional location known as a “non-contiguous service area” by obtaining a City Downtown CCA Non-Contiguous Service Area permit. The fee for both City permits is $250.  

A licensed caterer may participate in the Downtown CCA only when the caterer is included in a City-approved special event with alcohol that is located entirely within the Downtown CCA. The caterer must comply with the special event permit and state law. 

No. A business is liable for violations of all liquor laws governing the sale and consumption of alcoholic liquor that occurs on its licensed premises.  

If the special event permitholder does not want to allow alcoholic beverages within their special event area, the special event applicant can ask the City to suspend participation in the CCA during the special event. The City will notify licensees of the suspension of their City participation license. 

If the special event permitholder wants to allow alcoholic beverages within their special event area, the Downtown CCA ordinance applies. A licensee can participate through their City Downtown CCA Participant permit and/or a City Non-Contiguous Service Area permit. A licensed caterer may participate in the Downtown CCA only when the caterer is included in a City-approved special event with alcohol. The caterer must comply with the special event permit and state law. 

Please contact the City Manager's Office for more information on special events. (785) 587-2404

For more information about participating in the Downtown CCA or any other questions, please contact the City Manager's Office. 

The Alcoholic Beverage Control Division of the Kansas Department of Revenue also publishes guidance for Common Consumption Areas.