Oxford’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area
Oxford’s Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) goes into effect daily from 11 AM – 11 PM. (The inaugural launch was on June 25th, 2020, coinciding with the first Red Brick Friday.) Ehether you’re a resident, or a visitor passing through for the day, this has been an exciting development for our town and we hope you’ll enjoy your favorite drinks and all Uptown, Oxford has to offer.
Wait, what is a DORA?
DORA stands for Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area. This is a specific area, often spanning several streets, where patrons can purchase alcoholic beverages from participating businesses and then take those drinks outside to enjoy.
In Oxford, the DORA boundaries are as follows:
- The East side of Elm Street from Church Street to Walnut Street
- The North side of Walnut Street from Elm Street to Campus Avenue
- The West side of Campus Avenue from Walnut Street to Church Street
- The South side of Church Street from Elm Street to Campus Avenue
Or hey, just take a look at this map:
If you forget, there’s also street signage that lets you know when you’re about to leave the DORA zone, therefore, you cannot take your DORA beverage any further. So keep your eyes out and you’ll be fine!
When can I enjoy the DORA?
DORA orginally started as a one-night-only event that launched the same night as Red Brick Friday. DORA is now available every day from 11 AM to 11 PM.
Will the DORA be in effect year-round?
Yes, this year DORA will be in effect year-round… If it does turn off by the vote of the City Council you will return to enjoy your drinks inside one of our many great establishments (or on their patios if they have that option available).
Do I need a special cup?
Good question! And yes, you do! To participate in DORA, visit approved bars and restaurants (see list below) and ask for your drink in a DORA cup. You are only allowed to drink alcohol in the DORA zone when purchased from an approved DORA business.
The specially made DORA cups will have the logo printed right on the cup. For hot beverages, the cup will be labeled with a DORA sticker.
So can I bring my own alcohol uptown?
Nope! Any alcohol being consumed outdoors uptown needs to be in a DORA cup with the contents purchased from a participating business (cups are compostable and not to be refilled). The purpose of the DORA is to allow you to enjoy your drink outside (or inside shops that allow DORA beverages inside), but it’s also to help support our local bars and restaurants! So let’s show them some love by sticking to the rules.
Okay, I promise to follow the rules. What businesses are participating in DORA?
- Bar 1868 (13 W. High St.)
- Church Street Social (107 E. Church St.)
- Brick Street (36 E. High St.)
- Buffalo Wild Wings (10 E. Walnut St.)
- Chipotle (1 W. High St.)
- Circle Bar (15 E. High St.)
- CJ’s (25 E. High St.)
- Corner Bar (12 E. Park Pl.)
- Fiesta Charra (25 W. High St.)
- Fridge and Pantry (35 E. Church St.)
- Kofenya (38 W. High St.)
- Left Field Tavern (12 W. Park Pl.)
- Mac and Joe’s (21 E. High St.)
- O’Pub (10 W. Park Pl.)
- Woody’s One Up (11 S. Main St.)
- Rapid Fire Pizza (7 W. High St.)
- Side Bar/The Woods (17 N. Poplar St.)
- Sorriso (26 West High St.)
- Steinkeller (15 E. High St.)
- Skippers Pub/Top Deck (121 E. High St.)
- The Pickle & Pig (77 S Main St.)
What do I do with my cups when I’m done?
DORA cups are single-use (for health & safety reasons) and cannot be refilled. But thankfully, our DORA cups are compostable! We encourage you to hold onto your cups and compost them in your yard or garden rather than throw them away. The City of Oxford also has compost bins at the TRI Community Center.
