Downtown Goshen introduced a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area on July 2. A DORA is a state-authorized district where those who are of legal drinking age, 21 and older, can take alcoholic beverages to-go from participating businesses, and drink them within the designated downtown zone. 

The Goshen Common Council approved the creation of the DORA in May with official approval received from the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission in June. 

One main feature of DORA is its cups. Once you decide you are ready to leave the participating restaurant, you can request a DORA-specific cup which allows you to take your drink on the go. You are also limited to a maximum of two beverages at a time. 

Once you leave the restaurant or bar, you are free to roam within the DORA boundaries. This includes most of downtown Goshen and some of the surrounding areas including Main Street, Lincoln Avenue, Washington Street, Powerhouse Park, Goshen Brewing Company and the Millrace corridor. 

Teo Kingsley, a senior theater major — who on record confirmed he is of legal drinking age — initially participated in DORA during First Fridays. “I think it’s a fun addition to downtown,” Kingsley said. 

“It gave me kind of a chance to both enjoy the drink but also then have the opportunity to keep on moving around downtown and see what else is going on; gave me the chance to run into some people that were underage and I maybe would have missed if I hadn’t been able to leave the bar and  walk around,” Kingsley said.

Participating businesses range from family-friendly restaurants, such as Goshen Brewing Company and Venturi, to local bars like The Elephant Bar and The Fold. 

The city has installed different DORA signs throughout down-town to enforce boundaries and to assist with locating participating businesses. These signs read  “DORA Welcome,” “DORA  Sold Here” and “DORA Not Permitted.” 

Beka Youngberg is a senior art major who works front of house at Venturi.  “I feel like because we’re a sit-down restaurant … people come in less just for drinks. They come in for food and drinks,” she said.

“It’s fun — some people they’re like, ‘Oh like I finished my meal but I still have my drink. Can I put it in a DORA cup to go?’” Youngberg said. 

DORA has specific operating hours as part of maintaining its safety and regulation. 

Bailee Brown, a senior psychology major who works front of the house at The Fold, had first hand experience with the events. “I’ve seen [more traffic on] especially First Fridays. … I think definitely a lot more foot traffic for those bigger like events that are happening downtown,” Brown said.

She noted that, “Since The Fold — both our indoor and our outdoor seating is 21 plus; families that still want to come in and get pizza to go and such like that. It gives them the opportunity to get a drink or to do whatever.” 

While DORA is mainly beneficial to those of drinking age, part of the hope with the program is to get people engaged with each other in new settings. Downtown Goshen offers many areas within the DORA boundaries that have public seating and multiple walking paths. 

Slightly outside of the heart of downtown Goshen, Emma Kauffman, senior social work major, works front of house at Goshen Brewing Company.  “People are enjoying it; especially when we had the goats outside GBCo for the brush cleanup. People loved taking their drinks out there. We’re able to have more events because people don’t have to stay just in the limits of our fence,” Kauffman said. 

The city’s hope with the project is to support local businesses and boost community events while maintaining a safe and regulated environment for residents and visitors of downtown Goshen. 

You can participate in DORA on Thursday from 4-10 p.m., Friday from 4-11 p.m., with extended hours on Saturday from noon to 11 p.m.