Evansville one step closer to legal outdoor drinking — in designated spots

WNIN | By Tim Jagielo

Published February 11, 2025 at 4:37 PM CST

The 2024 Jazzfest in Downtown Evansville included specific outdoor drinking areas permissible at the event, in that location only. The Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) would establish semi-permanent boundaries marked with signage that would allow drinking outside whether there's a special event.

The Evansville City Council has approved the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area Ordinance (DORA) which paves the way for adults 21 and up to consume alcoholic outside, in certain areas of downtown; state approval and signage still needed

The Downtown Evansville Economic Improvement District (EID) proposed the ordinance. Here, EID Executive Director Adam Trinkel addresses the Evansville City Council about these Designated Outdoor Refreshment Areas, and how they've been used in other cities.

The Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) would allow outdoor drinking in specific areas and with specific cups.

City Council approved the measure at the Monday February 10 meeting.

The DORA is also malleable as more businesses wish to join. The ordinance currently includes Main Street and parts of 9th Street and areas of Riverside Drive. After all steps are followed, it could be rolled out in April.

Adam Trinkel is executive director of the Evansville Economic Improvement District (EID). His organization proposed the ordinance. He said 33 other cities in Indiana have DORAs. These include Noblesville, Jasper and Fort Wayne. Communities in Kentucky have tried it with success, as did Dayton Ohio.

“And they all unequivocally said they would do it again,” he said. “It's been a very positive experience.”

He said local businesses have been requesting DORAs “for years,” and that several large businesses such as Bally’s Casino, and hotels The Double Tree and Hyatt Place support the ordinance.

The next step is applying to the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC).

Specific cups and signage also need to be in place. Trinkel said only DORA-approved cups will be used within those specific zones.

“So that's intentional, because it allows people to easily see that they're drinking out of the door a cup, and they can have it outdoors. So the branded cup is one piece, and then there will be signage at each entry and exit point of the door, and that's intentional too, so that people know where they're allowed to carry out and drink the designated beverage.”

He said concerns about increased crime in other cities which adopted DORAs haven’t been manifest. He added that the EID contributes $25,000 annually for downtown police coverage.

Still, once implemented, they plan to watch for problems with the DORA.

Trinkel said Evansville can create up to seven DORAs if, for example, businesses on the West Side wished to participate.

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A 2024 Jazzfest attendee carries cups of beer in the designated bar area. The DORA would also include specific, required cups. Beer, wine and liquor would all be allowed.