Cleveland is weighing whether to let Playhouse Square theatergoers take their cocktails out for a stroll, as city officials fast-track a new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, for the downtown arts district.
Emergency legislation introduced Monday night would carve out a zone where adults 21 and older could buy alcoholic drinks from participating bars and restaurants, then walk around the district with those beverages in clearly marked DORA cups. The plan splits the neighborhood into a smaller “base area” for everyday use and a larger “expanded area” that could flip on for big downtown events.
What the ordinance says
The measure, filed as Ordinance 557-2026, was formally introduced at Monday’s Cleveland City Council meeting, according to Cleveland City Council records. The summary describes it as an emergency ordinance to create a designated outdoor refreshment area and to set rules “to ensure public health and safety within such area.”
Local reaction
Nearby businesses are already counting the potential boost. Restaurant and shop managers along Euclid Avenue told reporters they expect a Playhouse Square DORA to drive more people onto the sidewalks and into their doors, especially before and after shows.
Playhouse Square President and CEO Craig Hassall echoed that pitch, calling the proposal a way to stretch out a night at the theater. The designation would “give guests more opportunity to extend their visit, supporting local restaurants and strengthening downtown Cleveland,” he told WOIO.
Ward council member Richard A. Starr, who represents the theatre district, has signaled support for the concept but is not ready to greenlight everything at once. He told local media he wants security and crowd-control plans firmly in place before the city flips on the larger expanded area for major events, according to Fox 8 Cleveland.
How it would work and next steps
Under the proposal, the “base area” is designed for day-to-day use around the core of Playhouse Square, while the “expanded area” could be activated for major draws such as St. Patrick’s Day festivities or downtown air-show viewing. Maps, boundaries and operating rules are laid out in the ordinance attachments.
The legislation was filed as an emergency measure and now heads to council committees for hearings and refinements before any final vote, according to the meeting agenda and supporting materials. Cleveland already tested the concept with a DORA on East 4th Street, and city planners have said the municipality is allowed to authorize multiple DORA districts, creating a clear legal pathway for Playhouse Square if council signs off, per Ideastream Public Media.
Legal context
In Ohio, DORAs function as carved-out exceptions to the state’s open-container laws. State rules spell out how big these areas can be, when they can operate and how participating businesses must package drinks for carry-out. Typical requirements include distinctive cups, clear boundary signage and designated safety staffing.
For the Playhouse Square proposal, residents and nearby workers are pressing for firm enforcement and security plans as part of the package, in line with state guidance on how cities are expected to run these zones, according to Ohio State Extension.
What to watch next
The DORA plan will move through council committees and public review before anyone is legally sipping on the sidewalk. During that process, city officials and organizers say they will finalize maps, hours and a list of participating businesses, according to Fox 8 Cleveland.
There is no launch date on the books yet. Timing will depend on committee votes, detailed safety plans and negotiations with nearby businesses and neighborhood stakeholders.
For now, the ordinance is a clear sign that Cleveland is serious about making Playhouse Square more walkable and linger-friendly. Business owners are eager for the added energy and sales, while neighbors are pushing just as hard for strong guardrails. We’ll be watching committee calendars and any last-minute amendments as the proposal winds its way through council.
