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How do you DORA?

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A Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) allows patrons 21 years and older to purchase alcoholic beverages from approved alcoholic beverage permittees within the DORA and carry them outside to be consumed within the DORA boundaries. Patrons may only purchase alcoholic beverages through establishments licensed through the Alcohol & Tobacco Commission, and the alcoholic beverage must be consumed from a designated DORA cup sold from the participating approved permittee within the DORA boundaries.

                                           DORA Hours
                 Monday through Thursday 11:00 am to 9:00 pm
                    Friday through Sunday 11:00 am to 1:00 am

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DORA District Boundary Map

DORA District Boundaries

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    FAQs

    • What are the boundaries of the Downtown Washington DORA?

      • Please refer to the map above. Area has markers placed on the street corners of the boundaries. 

    • What are the hours that the Downtown Washington DORA is in effect?

      • The DORA is operational seven days a week, 365 days a year. The hours of operation are between 11:00 AM - 9 PM on weeknights (Mon-Thur) and 11 AM - 1 AM on weekends. 

    • Can I walk anywhere with my DORA beverage/cup?

      • No, you must remain within the Downtown Washington DORA boundaries (indicated by the map above).

    • What businesses can I enter with my DORA beverage/cup?

      • You can take your DORA beverage/cup into retailers or other businesses that do not serve alcohol, as long as they have an official “DORA Drinks Welcome” sticker on their door or near their entrance. 

      • You may NOT bring your DORA beverage into another establishment that serves alcoholic beverages. You must finish your DORA beverage before entering another bar/restaurant.

    • Is there a limit on how many DORA beverages I can purchase at one time?

      • You may purchase no more than two (2) open alcoholic beverages in a designated DORA cup from a designated permittee at a time.

    • What alcoholic beverages can I purchase with my DORA cup?

      • You may purchase beer, wine, and liquor, subject to the DORA beverage offerings of each approved alcoholic beverage permittee.

    • Can I bring my own alcoholic beverage, pour it into a DORA cup, and walk around in the DORA?

      • No, only beverages purchased from approved alcoholic beverage permittees participating in DORA that were initially sold and poured into the DORA cup are allowed.

    • Can beverages be purchased from an alcoholic beverage permittee outside the DORA boundaries and then brought into the DORA boundaries for consumption?

      • No, you may not legally consume an alcoholic beverage purchased outside of the DORA boundaries by an unapproved alcoholic beverage permittee in public areas of the DORA boundaries.

    • Can businesses within the Downtown Washington DORA boundaries refuse to allow alcoholic beverages onto their property?

      • Yes, businesses located within the Downtown Washington DORA boundaries may, on a nondiscriminatory basis, refuse to allow patrons to enter their premises or business with an alcoholic beverage.

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