Downtown Social District

The Local Spot

Apex Downtown Social District

The Apex Town Council adopted the Social District ordinance at their Tuesday, April 22, 2025 regular Council meeting. 

The Local Spot is a designated Social District in downtown Apex where visitors can enjoy alcoholic beverages from participating businesses while walking around downtown, eating at restaurants, stopping in participating retail shops, and exploring public areas.

Feeling like a local creates a sense of belonging! The Local Spot social district hopes to bring community members together in a fun and safe environment where visitors can enjoy downtown Apex and all that it has to offer.

What areas are included in The Local Spot boundaries?

You can enjoy your beverage in the official social district cup within these street boundaries: 

  • Salem Street (Heritage Plaza to Williams St.) 
  • Chatham Street (Elm St. to 202 W. Chatham St.)
  • Elm Street (E. Chatham to Olive St.)
  • Saunders Street (N. Salem to 215 Saunders St.) 
Social District Boundaries Map

When is The Local Spot in effect?

Downtown visitors can enjoy responsibly every day from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm.

Which businesses are participating in The Local Spot?

There are four different ways our downtown businesses can participate in the social district. Look for signage posted in a business window or on their door that indicates which level of participation they have chosen. 

all 4 social district window signs
Drinks are sold here, and other social district drinks are welcomed (green sign)

  • The Exchange Barbershop
  • Anna's Pizzeria 

Drinks are sold here, but other social district drinks cannot be brought in (yellow sign)

  • HighCraft Beer Market
  • Neat & Sweet Lounge
  • Oaklyn Springs Brewery - Taproom
  • Salem Street Pub
  • Scratch Kitchen and Taproom
  • TapStation Brewery 

Drinks are welcomed, but not sold in these businesses (blue sign)

  • 621 Productions
  • Adventures in Bloom
  • Alleyway Bookstore
  • Apex Gallery and Custom Framing
  • Artfully Apex
  • Bear Hands
  • Cocoon Gallery
  • Kilwins
  • Marsh Magic & The Swamp School
  • Monroe Boutique
  • North Left
  • Rose & Lee Collective
  • Stylish Living
  • Tulip Magnolia Boutique

No drinks are sold or welcomed within these businesses (red sign)

  • Currently, no businesses have selected this option.

How can visitors enjoy The Local Spot?

  • You must be 21 years or older to participate. Bring your ID and be prepared to show it at every location.
  • Cups are one time use. If you want another drink, you'll need to get a new cup.
  • Dispose of all drink liquids and recycle your cup before leaving the district (additional recycling bins will be placed around the boundary to make it easier to recycle).
  • Check the door of a business before walking in with your cup - participating businesses will have The Local Spot signage on their door. 
  • You cannot bring your own alcohol into a social district.

What is The Local Spot container?

Only drinks in approved cups are supplied by participating businesses and 

  • Are plastic (no glass) 
  • Hold no more than 16 oz
  • Display on the cup: 
    • The name of the business
    • The Local Spot logo 
    • The phrase: “Drink Responsibly – Be 21.”