A Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) is a specified area of land that has exemptions to open container permissions. In Columbus, this designation allows patrons to purchase an alcoholic beverage in a labeled cup to enjoy outside the boundaries of the establishment. Consumption of alcohol not provided in labeled DORA cups is not allowed within the DORA. Patrons may carry their beverage on the public right-of-way, parks, and other places not specifically excluded from the DORA. Patrons are not permitted to carry their beverage from one permitted establishment (restaurant, bar, or alcohol-serving event) into another, nor from one DORA to another DORA. 

Boundary signage throughout and along the pedestrian boundaries of the DORA indicate when patrons are exiting the Center City DORA perimeter.

DORA beverages can only be consumed in officially labeled and approved cups within the boundary for that designated outdoor refreshment area.

The Center City DORA and Arena District DORA intentionally do not abut touch one another. Patrons who take DORA cups from one DORA perimeter into another are subject to open container laws.

One key piece of feedback we heard from the community as part of the 2022 Downtown Strategic Plan, was that while Downtown is well established as the place to go for events and festivals, there is a need for more daily, consistent activation. Implementing the DORA is intended to draw people to Downtown any day of the week. We believe the DORA is a complementary amenity to both recurring and one-time events in Downtown and Franklinton.

We also heard that this consistency is crucial to small businesses, who already operate in a more variable market due to the nature of Downtown events. A consistent DORA would help lessen the gap between peak times and slower days.

Lastly, a consistent DORA allows office workers to take full advantage of the Downtown amenity, with the goal to showcase Downtown as a great place to work and entice employees back to their Downtown office, while attracting new companies to locate in the core. 

No streets will be closed as part of the regular DORA schedule. However, events that take place within the DORA boundary and choose to activate the DORA may include street closures. 

Event organizers can choose whether to have their event included in the DORA or not. If they choose to and are approved by the City to participate in the DORA, event attendees could carry one beverage, in a designated DORA cup, outside of the event perimeter, within the DORA boundary. However, attendees could not carry beverages (even in a DORA cup) into the event perimeter.  

By nature, DORA patrons are limited in the amount of alcohol they can purchase at a time. This means that the DORA encourages people to explore the pedestrian environment. For example:  

• A couple grabs dinner before a show at the Ohio Theatre. While walking down High Street to the Theatre, they sip a glass of wine. 
• Before exploring the street vendors at Franklinton Friday, a group stops at Land-Grant for to-go drinks.  
• Wedding guests eat brunch on Sunday morning, grab a mimosa for the walk and explore the retail shops on East Gay Street. 
• After dinner at Milestone 229, guests extend their visit by taking a drink to-go and exploring the Scioto Mile.

Examining other cities with similarly sized DORAs operating on a fixed schedule, there have been no additional security incidents attributed to the DORA. Both Raleigh, NC and Dayton have outdoor refreshment areas covering extensive areas in their downtowns, with participation from 65+ businesses, and they have reported no security issues since implementing these areas. Additionally, a 2021 survey of 25 DORA communities across Ohio determined that 96% reported no increase in crime as a result of the DORA. 

The Center City DORA was approved by Columbus City Council on April 29, 2024. The State approved the DORA on May 23, 2024. It is now in effect. Materials are now being distributed to participating businesses.