Melburnians and tourists hoping to enjoy a beer or a glass of wine as the sun sets over the St Kilda foreshore could find themselves in trouble with the law this summer under a contentious proposal to ban alcohol by the local council.

The plan by Port Phillip Council would have all alcohol prohibited between 5pm and 9am in some of the suburb's most popular parks stretching almost two kilometres along St Kilda foreshore.

Melburnians relax on the grass in St Kilda. Credit:Simon O'Dwyer

The proposal, which would impose a ban on Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons, will be decided on at a council meeting on December 9 but is believed to have the support of a majority of councillors.

The trial would apply to the entire St Kilda foreshore, O'Donnell Gardens near Luna Park, Marina Park, and Sandridge beach, next to Princes Pier in Port Melbourne. An alcohol ban at the St Kilda Botanical Gardens for a second consecutive Australia Day has also been proposed.