Another Cincinnati neighborhood is transforming its downtown into a DORA district, or a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, which means there's another place for those 21-and-up to snag an alcoholic beverage to sip while they stroll.
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.
"We designed it in a way that no sidewalks that are adjacent to a residential home, a church or a school are included in the DORA," Larry Eiser, chair of the DORA Management Committee of the Westwood Civic Association, tells CityBeat . "We did not want the DORA to infringe upon the very residential neighborhood that surrounds the business district."
Although they are in the same general area, the playground in Town Hall Park and Town Hall itself are also not included in the DORA.
Westwood's DORA held a soft opening in March 17 — and is currently active and open — but will host a grand opening celebration at 6 p.m. on May 5 at Town Hall Park. Mayor Aftab Pureval is slated to be there, along with Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney and other members of Cincinnati City Council.
Current DORA hours are 5-11 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. That means during those hours patrons can purchase an alcoholic drink to-go in a branded DORA cup from select bars and restaurants. "Beverages in DORA cups may be consumed anywhere in the DORA area, However, DORA beverages cannot be taken from one alcohol-serving establishment into another," says the Westwood Civic Association.
- Ivory House (2998 Harrison Ave.)
- Muse Cafe (3018 Harrison Ave.)
- West Side Brewing (3044 Harrison Ave.)
- Red's Westside Venyou (3050 Harrison Ave.)
- Madcap Education Center (3064 Harrison Ave.)
- Henke Winery (3077 Harrison Ave.)
- Nation Kitchen & Bar (3435 Epworth Ave.)
- Emma's All-in-One Occasions (3122 Harrison Ave.)
- Wondercade (3143 Harrison Ave.)
Eiser says that Westwood saw "lots of benefits and no issues" when the city did a test run during COVID that allowed select area businesses to permit patrons to drink in the park to promote social distancing.
"It is about making Westwood's Town Hall Business District a destination, attracting new visitors, residents and businesses, helping existing businesses prosper and further activating the recently renovated Westwood Town Hall Park," Eiser says.
Get more info and rules for Westwood's DORA district at westwoodcivic.org.
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