New Outdoor Refreshment Area Approved for Playhouse Square

The Theatre District is set to expand its hospitality options following the passage of emergency ordinance 557-2026, which establishes a new Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) near Playhouse Square. This initiative, a joint application from the Office of the Mayor and the Playhouse Square Foundation, allows customers to purchase alcoholic beverages in specific cups from participating businesses and carry them within the designated boundaries. This new area joins the existing DORA in the East 4th Street area as the city utilizes its capacity to establish up to six such zones based on its population.

According to the 557-2026-Legislative Summary - Playhouse Square DORA, the Playhouse Square DORA will operate using a dual-zone structure. A "Base Area" will remain active on a daily basis, while a larger "Expanded Area" will be utilized for specific events such as the Cleveland International Film Festival, Tri-C JazzFest, Saint Patrick’s Day, and various Plaza programming. To manage these operations, a Playhouse DORA Committee consisting of three individuals appointed by the Playhouse Square Foundation will oversee the area. This committee is tasked with determining operating days and hours, managing the use of the expanded area, and communicating with the Cleveland Police Department, the Ohio Department of Public Safety, and the Ohio Division of Liquor Control.

The ordinance has officially passed. Residents can look forward to the implementation of the daily Base Area and the activation of the Expanded Area during the scheduled local festivals and events listed in the legislative record.

Source record

File
557-2026
Type
Emergency Ordinance
Status
Passed
Committee
City Council
Introduced
April 23, 2026

View on Cleveland Legistar

Official documents

Sources