Tuesday, September 22, 2025–9:20 a.m.
-David Crowder, WRGA News-
The Rome City Commission voted Monday night to allow alcohol consumption at the new Chuck Sennett III Amphitheater.
According to Rome City Clerk Joe Smith, the amendment to the “Prohibited Acts” section of the city code would only apply to instances where the amphitheater is rented for private functions.
“Basically, our city code says that you cannot consume alcohol on public property, except that there is a long list of exceptions,” he said. “This is probably the 20th exception—give or take—on the list. It’s not just a free rein for anyone to walk over to this amphitheater, in this case, to sit down and have a beer. It’s only applicable when the amphitheater has been rented, and it will be rented and managed through our convention and visitors bureau.”
It would be very similar to what happens when someone rents the civic center.
“The action before you tonight is just to allow alcohol to be consumed there,” Smith told the commission before the vote. “Getting a license and selling alcohol is a different matter, obviously. There could be a function at this facility, like First Friday, for example, where people are allowed to bring their own alcohol, but where alcohol is not sold. In that case, no one needs a license, but by adding this facility to the list, that could happen. If alcohol is sold, someone has to have a license, and there is a charge for that.”
The vote to approve was 6-1, with Commissioner Jim Bojo voting against, and Commissioner Elaina Beeman abstaining.
