Irvington Businesses Excited for DORA Completion Ahead of Annual Halloween Festival
Dante Stanton (Fri, October 16, 2026 at 4:39 AM UTC)
2 min read
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IRVINGTON, Ind. — Adults 21 and older visiting Indianapolis' Irvington neighborhood can enjoy a new addition this year during the 80th annual Halloween festival: a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA). The city approved the DORA in early September, allowing patrons to carry specially marked alcoholic beverages from participating businesses within designated neighborhood boundaries.
Business owners anticipate record crowds during the Halloween festival, which falls on a Saturday, thanks to the new DORA. Participating establishments will use labeled cups and clear boundary markers to identify the district.
"We want people to know when they're inside the DORA," said Jim Arnoldt, owner of Snug, an Irish pub on Audubon Road, who has advocated for a DORA in Irvington for years. "When they're outside the DORA, we want to make sure there's sufficient garbage cans around all the businesses that are participating so litter doesn't become an issue... we want to be good neighbors as well as successful business people."
Neal Warner, owner of Strange Bird Rum and Oyster Bar on Audubon Road, predicts the DORA will boost sales during neighborhood festivals and street events but notes it's not expected to significantly impact daily sales. He praised the collaborative effort among local business owners to secure the designation.
"We're all looking out for each other, and that's what you'll get with the DORA as well: supporting small business and making this place a fun one to come and visit," Warner said.
The Irvington Halloween Festival runs from October 24 through Halloween night.
View an official map of the DORA boundaries [here](provided photo/city of Indianapolis).