Social Sipping

story by CARRIE STEINWEG

With the adoption of Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas (DORAs) in July of 2023, more than 40 towns and cities in Indiana have gained the opportunity to invite people to linger longer in public spaces due to approved ordinances. This allows for individuals of legal drinking age to carry alcoholic beverages throughout the DORA boundaries, creating an environment where people can stay in an area a little longer to shop, explore, restaurant-hop, and enjoy special events. And, it’s good for local businesses.

In Zionsville, a year-round DORA is in place, which was established in the fall of 2024. “Zionsville’s DORA builds on what already makes our downtown special – a walkable, historic village with a brick-paved main street filled with locally owned restaurants and shops. It gives businesses another way to engage people and adds flexibility for events and everyday activity, while still preserving the community’s small-town charm,” said Alexa Lingg, communications manager for the Town of Zionsville.

With Carmel’s vibrant central core featuring many restaurants, public gathering spaces, and outdoor amenities that support more than 100 public events and festivals every year, it makes sense that the city has an easily walkable Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA). The DORA allows individuals 21 years of age and older to purchase alcoholic beverages from approved licensed establishments and carry those beverages within the DORA boundaries. To make it simple for visitors, participating establishments will display signage in their business windows.

In Tipton, patrons of legal drinking age can explore their DORA in the downtown area, including the square and Tipton Park. Specially-marked cups are provided by participating and approved establishments.

The most recent DORA was initiated in Elkhart where the city council passed an ordinance in February to allow purchase of beverages from approved businesses within the city’s central business district. City officials are working on implementation for the busy travel and festival season. “The Elkhart County CVB supports DORAs as it will boost participating restaurants and bars within the DORA’s boundaries and benefit the vibrant series of regular events that happen downtown,” said Terry Mark, director of communications & public relations with the Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Rensselaer’s DORA covers the downtown core, including various entertainment venues, public walkways, and green spaces. Specific boundaries are marked by official DORA signs, and several businesses have been approved, including Embers, Fenwick’s, and more.

City of Logansport’s DORA was launched in the summer of 2024, and stretches from their vibrant district at 2nd Street to 7th Street between the Eel and Wabash River. Just say “I want a DORA cup” before you leave any of their approved establishments.

Communities that have had DORAs in place for multiple years have reported a positive impact to local businesses and an enhanced experience for visitors. One such community is Jasper, which was one of the earliest adoptees of the program. “The Downtown Jasper Social District has had a meaningful impact on both tourism and our local businesses,” said Kate Schwenk, executive director of Heart of Jasper. “By creating a welcoming, walkable environment where visitors can responsibly enjoy beverages while exploring, the district has encouraged longer stays, increased foot traffic, and created greater engagement with shops, restaurants, and events.”

The Fort Wayne area has seen similar positive effects. “DORAs have enabled cities like Fort Wayne and New Haven to reimagine their downtowns as one destination to be explored,” says Jessa Campbell Visit Fort Wayne’s director of destination development. “We can bring activations like music to the streets, rather than having them remain an isolated experience at one business.”

In Muncie, you’ll find three separate DORAs, with the goal to open “vibrant spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy beverages responsibly while exploring local businesses.” The designated areas are Downtown, the Village, and McKinley.

Lafayette’s downtown lends itself well to a DORA program, operating in the evening hours on weeknights and starting at noon on Saturdays and Sundays. City officials acknowledged that while helping to boost business for local bars and other small businesses, it also aids event planners in eliminating the work of organizing and executing alcohol sales.

“The DORA was first established in the summer of 2024 and only included a one-block portion on upper Main Street as a ‘pilot’ program,” explained Myles Holtsclaw, senior community development manager for the City of Lafayette. “The DORA was then expanded in the summer of 2025 to include all downtown Main Street and the Courthouse Square.” Myles says there are a number of benefits to having a DORA, including boosted foot traffic, increased sales for their local bars and restaurants, and more streamlined organizing for their downtown event organizers.