Indianapolis, IN Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Open container limit
- 2 leaving a permittee's premises
- Beer/malt cap
- 16 oz
- Wine/cider/seltzer cap
- 12 oz
- Mixed drink cap
- 10 oz, 2 oz liquor max
- DORA limit
- no more than 7 citywide
- Penalty
- $2,500 first / $7,500 repeat
- Purchase rule
- must buy inside the DORA
Summary
Indianapolis allows open alcoholic drinks only inside a council-designated Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) under Section 820-105. Patrons may carry up to two open containers out of a participating retailer's premises, each capped by drink type, and consume them anywhere within the DORA's mapped boundary; no more than seven DORAs may exist citywide.
(a)The following regulations are intended to be in substantial compliance with IC 7.1-3-31 et seq., which may be amended from time to time.(b)Upon the city's designation of a DORA, a person may:(1)Exit the licensed premises of a designated permittee with not more than two (2) open containers of an alcoholic beverage at a time; and(2)Consume the alcoholic beverage(s) within the DORA.(c)Council may not establish more than seven DORAs and at least one designated permittee shall be established by council for each DORA approved by the ATC and the city....(g)The contents of an open container of alcoholic beverage may not exceed the following:(1)Beer or flavored malt beverage of not more than sixteen (16) ounces;(2)Wine, cider, or hard seltzer of not more than twelve (12) ounces; or(3)A mixed drink of not more than ten ounces containing not more than two (2) ounces of liquor.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 47 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Section 820-105(b) lets a person leave a designated permittee's licensed premises with up to two open containers of alcohol and drink them inside the DORA once the city has designated one. Subsection (g) caps what's in those containers: beer or flavored malt beverage up to 16 ounces, wine, cider, or hard seltzer up to 12 ounces, and a mixed drink up to 10 ounces containing no more than 2 ounces of liquor. The alcohol has to have been bought from a permittee or vendor inside the DORA; Subsection (i) bars drinking anything carried in from outside.
1-3-31. Outdoor dining areas inside a permittee's licensed premises can serve alcohol in open containers and allow glass, but glass can't leave the dining area into the DORA, and no fencing around that outdoor dining is required. The city keeps full authority over sidewalks and public areas inside a DORA for public intoxication, disturbing the peace, and open-container-in-a-vehicle enforcement regardless of the DORA designation, and can temporarily shrink the hours or footprint of a DORA. Any business, whether or not it's a permittee, can still refuse to let patrons bring in outside food, drink, or open containers under Subsection (m).
Violations & Fines
Section 820-107 sets civil fines for any DORA violation: up to $2,500 for a first offense and up to $7,500 for a second or later offense, with each day a violation continues counted as a separate offense. Signage at every designated permittee's exit must also warn that carrying an open container in a moving vehicle can be a Class C infraction under IC 9-30-15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk around Indianapolis with an open beer or cocktail?
How big can my to-go drink be inside a DORA?
How many DORAs can Indianapolis create?
What's the penalty for breaking DORA rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indianapolis
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