DAYTON, Ohio — Dayton’s Oregon District is now the center of a new concept to allow and encourage outdoor drinking in the Gem City.
The Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) allows patrons to drink alcoholic beverages all throughout the brick-laid streets of the Oregon District and beyond.
DORA is now in effect everyday from noon to 10 p.m. and the kick off event was Sept. 4. Patrons are encouraged by the new concept.
“We used to come down here all the time on Friday’s before COVID,” Paula Guest said.
Guest and her friend Gina Swann said they missed their favorite drinking spot, the Tumbleweed Connection. But now they get to explore it and other bars in a different fashion, and they like the flexibility.
“Because we can be outside,” Swann said. “I always say if you don’t feel comfortable inside somewhere, you leave. We went to our regular watering hole and it started getting crowded and we left.”
Tumbleweed Connection manager Mark Moser said with all the complications and hardship from the tragic shooting to the coronavirus pandemic, this is a great concept that should help boost business in the Oregon.
“I think it’s awesome,” Moser said. “I think Dayton definitely needs this—they need a little shot in the arm. I like to look around, we got all walks of life here. You know, straight, gay, black, white, hispanic—it’s just a great community, and I’m glad to see everybody out.”
Salar is another business that’s benefitting from DORA. General Manager Brandi Perrine said the street closure allows them to boost their capacity by expanding their patio space.
“With DORA, that’s just like the cherry on top,” Perrine said. “Sell a few extra cocktails, why not?”
For more information on DORA in the Oregon District, click here.