Want to walk around Delano with an alcoholic drink? It’s up for discussion

Delano could become Wichita’s first outdoor area where people can walk around with alcoholic drinks from businesses during certain times and days.

It’s called a common consumption area.

Wichita City Council member Dalton Glasscock said he first saw the idea while visiting Topeka.

“This could be Delano’s opportunity to make a very unique destination center and also spur future development, especially around the ball stadium and what’s going to be happening along the river, and really encourage people to spend an entire evening in Delano,” he said.

The neighborhood is just west of downtown and home to a number of bars, restaurants and a brewing company, as well as the stadium.

The Delano neighborhood has several restaurants and bars, along with other businesses, mostly along Douglas from west of the Arkansas River to Seneca.

Glassock, who lives in Delano, said city staff is drawing up an ordinance that he plans to take to different business owners and organizations to show exactly what is being thought of. Glasscock said he’s met with several businesses and organizations, including the Delano Business Association, and has seen no opposition.

The hope is to bring the idea to a vote early this summer.

“Delano is one of the most fun, walkable neighborhoods in our City,” The Monarch, a Delano restaurant and bar, said in a Facebook post last month. “This could be a really fun way to further activate our area!!”

Most of the 30 comments on The Monarch’s post spoke in favor of the idea.

“Resident. Business Owner. For it,” commented Jonathan Wood, who co-owns Margarita’s Cantina.

Glasscock said many details are still being worked out. Signs will likely be put up telling people when they enter and leave the zone. He is hoping that the zone ends at midnight so that police can focus all their effort on Old Town when the clubs close.

“This is my backyard. I have a vested interest in making sure that this is safe, that it’s done well, and that it really separates Delano, makes it a unique spot anywhere else in the community,” he said. “I’m excited about it. I think it could be a transformational moment for Delano, and especially small businesses in Delano, because a lot of these businesses operate on very small margins.”

This story was originally published April 10, 2025 at 3:53 AM.