In 2023, the West Virginia Legislature enabled cities to create Private Outdoor Designated Areas, or PODAs.  Martinsburg enacted a PODA in 2025.

The PODA in downtown Martinsburg occurs Monday through Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.  During the PODA, you can grab a to-go drink in a designated PODA to-go cup (a clear cup with the PODA logo) and explore the downtown with your friends after dinner or before an event. 

Frequently Asked Questions

 ABC Licensed Establishment Application

 Non-ABC Licensed Business Preference Application

PODA Ordinance

 

Martinsburg PODA Map

IN THE PODA YOU CAN:
Enjoy responsibly. Laws regarding public intoxication, indecency, noise and driving while intoxicated still apply.

Finish your drink and throw away your cup in a trash receptacle when you see a sign that says you are leaving the PODA District.

Support local businesses by purchasing a drink at a participating PODA bar or restaurant and exploring the Downtown PODA District during the designated hours and days of the week.

YOU CANNOT:
Bring your own alcohol into the PODA District. All to-go PODA drinks must be purchased from a participating PODA bar or restaurant.

Walk around with a drink that is not in a designated PODA cup (a clear cup with the PODA logo).
Cans, glass bottles and mugs that you brought from home are strictly prohibited.

Take a PODA drink from a participating PODA establishment into a non-participating PODA establishment. The bars and restaurants that will be licensed to serve PODA drinks will have clear signage on their front doors or in their front windows.

Enter a general retail business (such as a clothing store) with a PODA drink if the owner of that retail business chooses not to allow PODA drinks inside. The City of Martinsburg has made signage for general retail businesses that welcome or do not welcome PODA drinks inside their establishment. The signage will be distributed at no cost when the Downtown PODA District is set to begin.

Throw your trash on the ground. There are plenty of trash receptacles within the PODA.