DORA districts — or Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas — are a fun fact of life in Greater Cincinnati. In these specific spaces, you are able to grab an alcoholic beverage to sip while you stroll. The 85-acre DORA at The Banks is a major player, but Loveland, Bellevue and Milford (among others) also have their very own designated areas where visitors can have an open beer or cocktail, as long as they follow some simple rules:

  • Alcoholic beverages must be in specific DORA cups.
  • DORA beverages must stay within the boundaries of the district.
  • Guests may take their DORA beverages from participating businesses but are not permitted to bring their drink into another business.
  • Visitors are subject to open-container laws when outside of the district.
  • You must be 21 and up to drink.

Here’s your guide to exploring local DORA districts.

The Banks The DORA at The Banks spans from Paul Brown Stadium to Heritage Bank Center and to the south sidewalk of Second Street and north sidewalk of Mehring Way. (Smale Park is not included in The Banks’ DORA district.) The city has also permanently closed Freedom Way from Joe Nuxhall Way to Walnut Street to make it a pedestrian pathway. The DORA is open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., during which time visitors may purchase their adult beverages in DORA cups from participating businesses and traverse the district. Photo: Game Day PR
Westwood Fourteen acres of Westwood are now part of a DORA, with boundaries running from “Ivory House to just beyond Wondercade on Harrison and down Epworth to Nation,” per the Westwood Civic Association website. Current DORA hours are 5-11 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Photo: facebook.com/westsidebrewing
Milford Milford joins the list with their own DORA. The district was approved on July 16, 2019 and boundaries cover Main Street, parts of Water Street and some of Lila Avenue. The entirety of Riverside Park is included in the DORA district. The Governor, 20 Brix and Little Miami Brewing Company are all participating businesses. Hours are 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 11 a.m.-midnight Friday-Sunday. Photo: downtownmilford.com
Hamilton Hamilton has one of the first DORAs in the Greater Cincinnati area, which launched in 2018. The Hamilton DORA is open 9 a.m.-midnight daily, with Richard’s Pizza, Municipal Brew Works, Pinball Garage and others serving up DORA beverages. Photo: Provided by city of Hamilton
Bellevue Bellevue has something a bit different (the term is different because it’s a different state), but the concept is the same. The Bellevue Entertainment District (BED) allows those over 21 to roam with open containers as they shop. The BED opened in November 2019 between O’Fallon Avenue and Riviera Drive on Fairfield Avenue. Hours of operation are noon-11 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. BED patrons must purchase a reusable cup for 50 cents from a participating business. Photo: Liz Davis
Deerfield Township Deerfield’s DORA district encompasses Deerfield Towne Centre. The district is open 6 p.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday and noon-midnight Friday-Sunday. Photo: facebook.com/deerfieldtownecenter
Loveland Loveland’s DORA was established almost two years ago on April 2019. The boundaries run along Karl Brown Way into Nisbet Park and around to West Loveland Avenue. Some local businesses that sell DORA drinks are Bishop’s Quarter, Casual Pint and Narrow Path Brewing. Loveland’s DORA is open noon-11 p.m. daily. Photo: Savana Willhoite
Cheviot Cheviot’s DORA covers three blocks of Harrison Avenue. Hours are 4 p.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday and noon-midnight Friday-Sunday. Photo: facebook.com/cityofcheviot
Montgomery Montgomery’s DORA district runs from the edge of State Route 126 to Go Bananas Comedy Club on Montgomery Road. The DORA hours for Montgomery are 5-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Participating businesses have maps showing the limits of DORA. And locations may charge $1 for the DORA cup. Photo: facebook.com/gobananascomedyclub
Mason The district runs from Dawn Street to Fourth Avenue, and the city has signs signaling boundaries. The Common Beer Company, Two Cities Pizza and Quantman Cafe are some of the businesses taking part in the Mason DORA district. The area is open 6 p.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday and noon-midnight Friday-Sunday. Photo: facebook.com/twocitiespizza
Liberty Center The Liberty Center DORA includes businesses in the outdoor mall, with boundaries at Liberty Way, Taylor Street and Warehouse Row. Hours are noon-midnight daily. Photo: facebook.com/libertycenterohio
Middletown Middletown has its very own DORA, running from the riverfront to Clark Street in downtown Middletown. The DORA hours are noon-midnight daily. Middletown requires the purchase of a $1 DORA bracelet, which is good for the entire day. Participating locations include the Canal Pub at the Landing, Gracie’s and The White Dog Distilling Company. Photo: thechamberofcommerce.org
Wyoming Wyoming’s DORA is open 2-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 2 p.m.-midnight Friday and noon-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Wyoming Community Coffee, Tela Bar + Kitchen and Station Family + BBQ are some of the businesses licensed to sell DORA drinks. Maps and boundaries are available at any participating location. Photo: facebook.com/telabandk
Lebanon Lebanon says its DORA “encompasses a large portion of the Central Business District.” Boundary signage is posted and hours run 6 p.m.-midnight Monday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-midnight Friday and noon-midnight Saturday and Sunday. Photo: Provided by The Golden Lamb
No. 7 Best Brunch: National Exemplar 6880 Wooster Pike, Mariemont Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Summit Park In March, Blue Ash City Council gave the OK for Summit Park to open a DORA. The hope is that it will open by June 1. Hours will be 10 a.m.-midnight daily and include Brown Dog Cafe, Senate, Tahona Kitchen + Bar and Higher Gravity. Photo: RVP Photography/facebook.com/theoffmarket
New Richmond The river town of New Richmond, Ohio has a DORA along Front Street, from Sycamore to Union Street, including portions of Susanna Way, Augusta Street and Washington Street. The district is operational noon-10 p.m. daily and includes businesses Green Kayak Market, Front Street Café, Skipper’s River Café and others. Photo: facebook.com/ontheohio
Sharonville Sharonville’s DORA is situated primarily in the downtown loop. Hours are 5-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday and noon-9 p.m. Sunday. Photo: sharonville.org
Covington The Roebling Point area in Covington is considered an Entertainment District, but only during certain events. The zone includes Park Place and Court Street between Third and Fourth streets and Greenup Street and Scott Boulevard. Renaissance Covington says, “In Covington, we do not need special cups because the Entertainment District is only eligible for approved Special Events, like the Night Bazaar!” Photo: facebook.com/renaissancecovington
Harrison Harrison’s DORA is in what it refers to as its “District,” or its historic downtown area. Hours are 4-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-midnight Friday, noon-midnight Saturday and noon-10 p.m. Sunday. Participating businesses include 1860 Taproom & Bottleshop, Heist + Co., The Coffee Peddlar and Market Street Grille. Photo: facebook.com/1860taproom