The Wooster DORA is a designated public area where alcoholic beverages can be purchased in a designated cup from permitted establishments and carried within the district.

The Wooster DORA is a collaborative initiative led by the Wooster Chamber, Wooster City Administration, Wooster City Council, and Main Street Wooster. Initiated by a local group of restaurateurs, The Wooster DORA aims to support and promote downtown restaurants, retail operations, and public space utilization.

 
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Signs to look for as you are downtown enjoying the DORA.

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Wooster DORA Map

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WOOSTER DORA: RULES AND REGULATIONS

What is the Downtown Wooster Designated Outdoor Area (DORA) and how does it work?

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  • Patrons age 21 and older may purchase and enjoy an alcoholic beverage from a liquor-permitted establishment; then sip, stroll, shop, and explore within the DORA boundaries of Downtown Wooster.

  • Before a patron leaves the liquor-permitted establishment with alcohol, he/she must request that it be placed in a DORA-designated cup.

  • Only beverages in DORA cups are permitted and exempt from Wooster City’s open-container laws. No cans or bottles are permitted within DORA.

What are the DORA hours?

  • 4:00  p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Saturday & Sunday, excluding annual Woosterfest.

What are the rules?

  • Purchase an alcoholic drink at a DORA-designated establishment and have the beverage poured into a specially marked cup.

  • Drink and stroll along the sidewalks and in shops within DORA boundaries.

  • Alcoholic beverages CANNOT be brought from one liquor-permitted bar/restaurant to another establishment that serves alcohol.

You Can:

  • Purchase an alcoholic beverage at an authorized location and enjoy it while strolling within DORA boundaries.

  • The drink must be in an official DORA cup. Sip and Shop!

  • You are welcome to take a DORA drink into an establishment that does not have a liquor license.

  • A business owner/operator who does not permit DORA drinks will display such signage. Dispose of your DORA cup properly when you finish. Help keep Wooster City beautiful!

  • Have fun while respecting that not all individuals within the DORA boundaries are drinking. Maintain a family-friendly atmosphere at all times.

You Cannot:

  • Bring your own alcoholic beverages into Downtown.

  • Walk around with an alcoholic drink not in a designated DORA cup (no cans or glass permitted).

  • Take a beverage purchased from one liquor-permitted DORA establishment, into another liquor-permitted establishment.

  • You must dispose of your previously purchased DORA cup/beverage before entering another liquor-permitted establishment.