DOWNTOWN DAYTON DORA
DESIGNATED OUTDOOR REFRESHMENT AREA
Welcome to the
Downtown Dayton DORA!
The City of Dayton has officially voted to approve a new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) in Dayton. The new Downtown Dayton DORA includes a broader footprint of downtown Dayton and has dissolved and incorporated the previously established Oregon District DORA into the new boundaries.
The Downtown Dayton DORA is a program of the Downtown Dayton Partnership and sponsored by Coors Light.
What is DORA?
DORA stands for “Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area.” A DORA is a space that allows patrons 21 years and older to purchase alcoholic beverages in a designated cup from a permitted establishment and carry those beverages within the defined boundary.
You can take your to-go beverage around the designated DORA, either while relaxing outdoors, or while you’re shopping, look for the DORA stickers on the entrances of participating retailers, and sip while you shop. Be sure to finish your DORA beverage before you enter another bar or restaurant.
Why DORA?
The Downtown Dayton DORA was designed to both help businesses still struggling following the COVID-19 pandemic and to be an amenity for our downtown guests. Expanding the DORA to include more of downtown was a top community priority in the action plan for downtown Dayton’s recovery from the pandemic, and is designed to help support our community of independent, small businesses that continue to struggle from COVID-19’s effects.
Where are DORA beverages sold?
*List of participating businesses is subject to change*
AC Hotel by Marriott Dayton - Bar Granada - The Barrel House - Black Box Improv Theater - Blind Bob’s - Bozacks Cocktail Lounge - Brixx - Canal Street Arcade and Deli - The Century Bar - Corner Kitchen - Dayton Barrel Works - Dayton Beer Company - Dayton Convention Center - Dayton Live - Deaf Monty's Wine - The Dublin Pub - - The Foundry - Grist - Gulzar's Indian Cuisine - Hole in the Wall Dayton - Jimmy's Italian Kitchen - Jollity - Joui Wine - Lily's Dayton - Little Fish Brewing Company - Local Cantina Water Street - Lucky’s Taproom & Eatery - MJ's on Jefferson - - Mudlick Tap House - Ned Pepper's Bar - The Neon - Newcom's Tavern - NextDoor - Oregon Express - Picture Perfect Paint Parties - RiverScape MetroPark - Roost Modern Italian - Salar Restaurant - Southern Belle Tavern - The Stage Door - Sueno - Table 33 - Tender Mercy - Thai 9 - Tony & Pete’s - Toxic Brew Company - Troll Pub - Trolley Stop - Two Social - Van Buren Room - Warped Wing Brewing Company - Wheat Penny Oven and Bar - Winans Chocolates & Coffees- Downtown Dayton - Yellow Cab Tavern
What are the boundaries of the Downtown Dayton DORA?
The DORA district is roughly bounded by Wilkinson Street to the west (with Main Street as the boundary south of Sixth Street), RiverScape MetroPark and the Great Miami River to the north (with First Street as the boundary east of Webster Street), Keowee Street to the east (with Webster Street as the boundary north of First Street), and Sixth Street to the south (with some areas stretching as far south as Washington Street and Jones/Bainbridge Street). Boundaries of the DORA are clearly marked with signs notifying guests when they enter or leave the defined area.
Click here for a larger map.
Where can I take my DORA cup?
Once you (an adult age 21+) have purchased your drink served in a designated DORA cup, you can leave that establishment and are free to walk about within the boundaries of the DORA with your beverage.
You can also take your designated DORA cup into retailers or other businesses that do not serve DORA beverages, as long as they have an official “DORA allowed here” sticker on their door or near their entrance. If a business does not allow a DORA beverage inside, they will display the “No DORA allowed” sticker on the entrance.
When is DORA in effect?
The Downtown Dayton DORA is in effect from noon until midnight 7 days a week.
The Chief of Police will suspend DORA on St. Patrick's Day, and may suspend DORA for other designated special events.
Does the Oregon District DORA still exist?
The boundaries of Dayton’s first DORA have been dissolved and the Oregon District is now included in the newly formed Downtown Dayton DORA. All participants in the Downtown Dayton DORA will use the same logos, cups, signs, and other materials.
Will any streets be closed as part of DORA?
No streets will be closed because of DORA. Despite both launching in the Oregon District in 2020, DORA and Out on 5th are two separate programs. The Out on 5th weekend street closures will continue in the Oregon District as usual.
DORA Rules:
- Any alcoholic beverage carried outdoors must be purchased from a participating business and served in a new, unused official DORA cup – no alcoholic beverages obtained from other sources permitted – No BYOB
- Only one DORA cup/beverage is permitted at a time per patron
- DORA cups are single-use only - Only one beverage may be served per DORA cup
- Patrons may not leave the DORA boundaries with an open container beverage
- Finish your beverage before entering another business serving alcohol - Patrons may not enter a participating DORA business with a DORA beverage purchased elsewhere
- Pay attention to DORA signs, window decals, and other posted information
- Please check with businesses and retailers regarding their DORA policy – Window decals indicate businesses that allow drinks inside and those that do not
- Patrons must be 21 or older to participate
- Please drink responsibly
- Help us keep downtown clean and properly dispose of your DORA cups when finished with your beverage
DORA Cup Ordering for Participating Downtown Businesses
Downtown businesses within the new DORA boundaries that sell alcohol may order the new DORA cups here.
Cups orders may be picked up from the Downtown Dayton Partnership offices.