A designated outdoor drinking area could soon be coming to downtown Huntington, making it the first city in the state offer it. The West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration granted the city of Huntington approval to be the first municipality with a Private Outdoor Designated Area permit. The permit allows the city to create an area where citizens can purchase a beer in a to-go cup and walk around or visit other businesses within the designated area. Bars or restaurants that wish to sell alcohol for the PODA must also undergo a permitting process. The area will operate on Thursday and Friday evenings, plus Saturdays between April 1 and October 31.