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Customers eat outside The Noble South in downtown Mobile, Ala., on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2016. (John Sharp/jsharp@al.com).

Sidewalk diners at Chris Rainosek's 3-year-old downtown Mobile restaurant often wish to order a glass of wine to be brought to the table with their dinners.

Alas, that's a no-no, according to state rules.

Rainosek's serving team at The Noble South has to tell patrons that they'll need to step inside to the bar to fetch any libations.

"Someone has to get up from the table, and walk in," said Rainosek, whose farm-to-table restaurant takes pride in unique menu offerings such as Sausage Agnolotti and Heirloom Tomato Tart.

"When we are trying to create a professional environment, it doesn't lend itself to that," he said. "People come to us for an experience and we'd like to provide them in full."

And Rep. James Buskey, D-Mobile, would like to make that happen. He's sponsoring a bill that spells out new outdoor alcohol sales regulations in Mobile's two downtown entertainment districts.

State Rep. James Buskey (file photo)

Under the bill, retail liquor license holders within the districts could sell alcoholic beverages on a city sidewalk or deck immediately adjacent to or connected to their premises. And the bill would expand the definition to premises to the immediate "outside" of the establishment during special events like Mardi Gras.

The two entertainment districts encompass almost all of Dauphin Street, which is the epicenter of downtown's nightlife and dining.

Buskey's bill addresses tensions that arose last year after a newly hired civilian compliance specialist with the state Alcohol Beverage Control agency spotted several restaurants in Mobile where tables and chairs had encroached into public right-of-way, including sidewalks.

The specialist told a handful of establishments that their license premises covered only the building itself and that selling liquor outdoors on the sidewalks was prohibited.

The outcry prompted the ABC board to then issue a clarification regarding its regulations and intent.

Buskey said that his HB185 will make the rules clear to all sides. "Out of an abundance of caution, the people in Mobile would rather have something in law than a clarification," Buskey said.

Dean Argo, spokesman with the ABC, said the agency is taking a "neutral" stance on Buskey's proposal.

"The Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board is assisting Representative Buskey, other legislators and local government officials to address any concerns regarding HB185," said Argo. "The ABC Board fully supports the rights of a municipality to create and enforce laws that pertain directly with circumstances and/or needs that do not conflict with state laws."

Buskey's bill has been embraced by the Downtown Mobile Alliance and Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson's office.

"Our goal is simple: We want to reduce red tape and make it easier for our downtown businesses to thrive," said George Talbot, a spokesman with Stimpson. "We appreciate the support Representative Buskey and the members of our delegation who are helping our citizens connect to work and play in a vibrant downtown."

City Councilman Levon Manzie, who represents downtown, said the bill will lift an unnecessary regulatory burden, while helping Mobile and Alabama "catch up to the times."

"I heard from restaurant owners about how cumbersome it's been, and how bureaucratic it is in many ways, and certainly how it's not responsive to the need and the demand that our tourists and residents expect when they come downtown," Manzie said.

Buskey said his bill also allows Mobile to possibly add up to three more entertainment districts in the future.

Manzie said there have been "preliminary talks" about creating another entertainment district within the downtown area, though nothing is imminent.

Said Buskey, regarding his legislation: "I don't think anyone will have a great concern with what we do in terms of Mobile."

While the bill affects only Mobile County - and will need approval from the area's lawmakers before advancing for full legislative approval - at least one downtown leaders elsewhere expresses support.

"Any legislation that helps downtowns meet market demand for food and beverage service can be a good thing," said Chris Emerson, president and CEO of Downtown Huntsville Inc.

Huntsville doesn't face a similar quandary as Mobile with its al fresco dining. The Rocket City's sidewalks, for instance, are much larger within its entertainment districts than the sidewalks along Mobile's Dauphin Street.

Huntsville's three entertainment districts, much like the two in Mobile, allows outdoor drinking as long as the alcoholic beverage is in a cup. Bottles are not allowed outside of downtown taverns or restaurants.

Huntsville city officials are considering adding a fourth district.

"We haven't had any problems with the entertainment district in downtown Huntsville and we're confident we will continue to move forward with big successes," Emerson said.