Drinking in public

Social customs and laws on drinking alcohol in public vary significantly around the world. "Public" in this context refers to outdoor spaces such as roads, walkways or parks, or in a moving vehicle. Drinking in bars, restaurants or stadiums, for example, is not generally considered to be "in public" even though those establishments are open to the general public. In some countries, such as India, the United States and in larger regions, such as the Muslim world, public drinking is almost universally condemned or outlawed, while in other countries, such as Portugal, Spain, Germany, New Zealand and Japan, public drinking and public intoxication is socially acceptable, although may not be entirely legal.

Opponents of drinking in public argue that it encourages overconsumption of alcohol and binge drinking, rowdiness and violence, and propose that people should instead drink at private businesses such as public houses, bars or clubs, where a bartender may prevent overconsumption and where rowdiness can be better controlled by the fact that one is sitting down and security or bouncers may be present. Alternatively, adults may drink at home.

Proponents of drinking in public argue that it does not itself cause problems and rather that it is social problems that cause overconsumption and violence, pointing to countries that allow drinking in public but have low levels of associated overconsumption and violence. Proponents further argue that drinking in public helps normalize attitudes towards drinking and build a healthier drinking culture. Many argue that it is a right to drink in public.

Although details and penalties vary from state to state, drinking in public places directly outside licensed premises (and also in council-designated no alcohol zones) is illegal. Generally, possession of an open container of alcohol is sufficient proof of public drinking.

In New South Wales, drinking in public is legal unless an area is declared to be an alcohol-free zone. All of the New South Wales state's 152 Local Government Council City/Shire Council Rangers and Authorised Staff are allowed to use their discretion to tip out and confiscate open containers in public streets in officially designated alcohol free zones within their own Council boundary; but not arrest nor issue Fines/Infringements for this purpose, leading many to turn a 'blind eye' to these infractions to avoid conflict and fights (http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/councils-fearful-of-enforcing-alcohol-confiscation-laws-20110831-1jm28.html).

...
Wikipedia