Downtown Outdoor Refreshment Area – DORA

December 2022 | Bucyrus City Council voted to make the DORA permanent.

August 2023 | The City of Bucyrus assumed day-to-day operations and management of the DORA.

The Bucyrus DORA is NOT in effect during the Bratwurst Festival. 

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What is a DORA?

A DORA is a specific area where licensed liquor establishments may sell alcoholic beverages for outdoor consumption. The DORA is designed to serve as an economic development tool and support downtown revitalization as people stroll within the downtown, support our local restaurants and bars, and attend local events. Bucyrus’ DORA was established in July 2022.

How Does a DORA Work:

Enjoying the DORA safely and appropriately is very important, so there are a few rules to follow.

ENTER any participating establishment and order your favorite beer, wine, or cocktail in a DORA cup.  Hours for the DORA are daily from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

EXIT the establishment onto the sidewalks of downtown Bucyrus.  Beverages must be purchased in DORA cups to leave an establishment and cups must stay within the boundaries.  Signs will indicate those boundaries and there is a map provided on this webpage.

ENJOY your beverage while strolling within the DORA boundaries or visiting locations with a blue DORA sign indicating beverages are permitted.

DISPOSE your DORA cup when empty or when entering another designated liquor permit holder’s establishment. DORA cups are one time use and must be thrown away prior to entering ANY other permitted liquor establishment OR any business/merchant with the red DORA sign.

DORA Guidelines:

A person cannot:

Bring your own drinks into the DORA

Walk around with a purchased drink not in a designated DORA plastic container (no cans, no glass, no outside drinks are permitted)

Take a beverage purchased at one liquor serving establishment into another liquor establishment or into any business with the red sign

Take a DORA beverage outside the DORA boundaries

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Can I walk anywhere with my DORA cup?

A: Patrons can only carry DORA beverages in the defined boundaries. Retail and private establishments may allow DORA beverages in their establishment or they may opt to not allow them. Each establishment within the DORA will have their own policy and will have signage on their establishment entrance defining their DORA policy.

Q: Are the hours of the DORA limited?

A: Yes, the DORA hours are: Monday through Sunday, 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; DORA beverages may not be consumed outside of these hours. Additionally, the DORA may be limited if there are special events (i.e. Bratwurst Festival) or private fundraising events which hold an F-2 Liquor Permit in which DORA beverages may be unwelcome or competition to the event.

Q: What is a DORA cup?

A: A designated plastic cup for all establishments.

Q: Can I take my DORA beverage into another restaurant?

A: No, once a DORA beverage has left a designated liquor permit holder’s establishment, it must be consumed before entering another establishment that is permitted to sell alcoholic beverages. Empty cups may be taken into a different restaurant for another beverage.

Q: Who will be authorized to sell DORA beverages?

A:  Bakers Pizza, Dillinger’s Entertainment Center & Restaurant, Crazy Fox Saloon, Horseshoe Bar & Restaurant, Norman’s Niche, Pisanello’s Pizza, Bucyrus Moose Family Fun Center #669, Bucyrus Elks #156, VFW Post #1078, Amvets Post #0027, American Legion Post 101, and Arrogant Goat Brewing LLC.  Each establishment has a “D” Permit from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control.

Q: How will patrons know the DORA limits?

A: Signs are posted in the key ingress and egress areas of the DORA district.

Q: Can I pour my own alcoholic drink into a DORA cup and carry it?

A: No. Beverages must be purchased from designated liquor permit holders. No cans, glass bottles, or outside alcoholic beverages are allowed within the DORA boundaries. Further, alcoholic beverages may not be carried outside of the boundaries or patrons are subject to legal consequences.

Q: Will the area become littered, unruly, or noisy due to the DORA?

A: Over 100 communities in Ohio have DORAs. The Crawford Partnership, Bucyrus Area Chamber of Commerce, and City of Bucyrus Administration has made inquiries to many of those 100+ communities and none have negative experiences to report. The City has numerous garbage cans in the DORA area. The Bucyrus Police Department provides coverage to the DORA area and will be visibly present and readily available should concerns or issues arise. Special events may require additional Police and Public Works staffing, as is already the practice.