Salisbury To-go Alcohol in Public Spaces Program

Salisbury, Md. – City officials said the T.A.P.S. program brings an exciting dynamic to Third Friday events.

“What’s also great is it’s a simple process,” said Victoria Idoni, communication director for the City of Salisbury. “Participants will be carded, receive a wristband, and get a T.A.P.S.-approved cup from a participating restaurant.”

“It has to be during the time of the event and in a T.A.P.S.-approved cup from one of these venues,” Idoni said. “You come, you get your drink, you come on out to the street, enjoy your beverage with your friends and loved ones and neighbors and anybody you see. And then when you head into your next venue, that cup has to go, and you get a new one from wherever that is.”

Salisbury’s new T.A.P.S. program will soon bring to-go alcohol sales to the downtown area.

“We got approved by the liquor board to have events in downtown Salisbury where we are going to be serving beverages outdoors,” Idoni said.

A number of bars and restaurants are participating, with the goal of bringing the community together.

“This is a pretty exciting thing for downtown,” Idoni said. “We want to bring more people down for Third Fridays and the National Folk Festival and all these other wonderful events we have going on, hoping this is something that, you know, just helps give people a little motivation to come out and see us again.”

Local community member Maria agrees, saying the initiative is a great idea.

“I think it’s pretty great,” she said. “I think Salisbury is doing a lot of wonderful things, and this might be a really good opportunity to bring something new.”

Before you drink, know the rules: You must stay within the marked T.A.P.S. zones, and no drinks can be brought into other businesses. Most importantly, no outside drinks are allowed.

“Getting this approval is a big deal, and it’s a responsibility that we take seriously as well,” Idoni said. “We want to make sure that everyone’s enjoying themselves responsibly so that we can continue this for years to come.”

There will be seven T.A.P.S. events throughout the year. The program is only offered during designated events, and drinks must be purchased from participating venues.

Salisbury is the first city in Maryland to have a program like this.