Designated outdoor refreshment areas: City may allow open containers in certain areas

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Cincinnati considering designated outdoor refreshment areas

Cincinnati City Council members are exploring adding designated outdoor refreshment areas to the Queen City.

Drinking outside in Over-the-Rhine could be Cincinnati's next move to attract business for struggling restaurants and bars. Council Member Chris Seelbach says this weekend will be a dry run of sorts.

“The restaurants and bars will be serving alcohol on the streets in the designated areas, so it's a test to see does this work in our community?" said Seelbach.

With 25 streets being shut down to expand outdoor dining during social distancing, Seelbach says it only makes sense.

“You could, and there are many rules about it, but you could take a beer or a cocktail out of a bar and legally walk around our parks and the neighborhood with that cocktail,” said Seelbach.

Several other communities like Loveland already have DORAs, but Loveland is changing its rules after pictures emerged over the weekend showing large crowds gathering. Seelbach says that's a concern.

“If it were up to me, we would not be opening up this soon, but given the governor's decision to open up, we're doing everything we can to ensure social, physical distancing, which is why we're opening up our streets,” said Seelbach.

For those who frequent OTR, it sounds like a good idea.

“I’m going to say, having visited other countries, it's about time. In other countries, they don't have those stringent laws about imbibing and stuff like that,” said Glenn Davis, who grew up in OTR.

“It will encourage people to come visit downtown Cincinnati, and it will also help the vendors as well,” said Vincent Ward.

Seelbach says there's still a lot to consider, and the outside dining will give a better feel of how an open container district might do in Cincinnati.

“We know that this will probably be good for the bars and restaurants, but OTR, all of our neighborhoods, are also very residential, so we have to also make sure that the people who live there are OK with it because we don't want drunkenness and parties on our streets that will keep people up all night,” said Seelbach.

Seelbach says his idea will be discussed in an upcoming city council meeting but he doesn't expect a vote until the fall.

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