Some thoughts on DORAs

This year, I’ve been watching Hamilton County embrace a growing trend—Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas, or DORAs. These are spaces where people can purchase alcoholic drinks from participating businesses and walk around with them in public, usually within newly developed entertainment districts.

On the surface, DORAs sound fun. Casual, social, “community-focused.” But I can’t help but ask: who are these spaces actually refreshing—and who gets left out?

The messaging around DORAs leans heavily on economic development and “revitalization.” But let’s be honest: this isn’t about revitalizing communities. It’s about revenue. It’s about creating environments designed for a particular kind of consumer. The kind of person who drinks, spends, and fits neatly into a curated lifestyle brand.

Meanwhile, people who don’t drink can feel sidelined in these spaces. When alcohol becomes the centerpiece of public life, what message does that send about who belongs?

I’m also thinking about safety, especially for women, families, and young people. Are DORAs being thoughtfully designed with boundaries, oversight, and equity in mind? Or are we rushing to turn sidewalks into bar patios without considering the social consequences?

Public space should be inclusive. Safe. Multi-dimensional. And while there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a drink, we should be wary of normalizing alcohol as the default mode of connection and celebration.

DORAs might offer a temporary boost for bars and developers, but in the long term, we should be asking: how can we build shared spaces that reflect the full diversity of how people gather, unwind, and feel a sense of belonging?

It’s not just about what we’re drinking. It’s about who gets to feel at home.

Kristin Patrick, Co-founder