NYC Outdoor Dining Program: New Rules and Year-Round Push

Outdoor Dining Structures and Setup

• 🍽️ Outdoor dining structures, including roadway and sidewalk cafes, are now permitted in New York City.
• 🚧 Roadway cafes typically occupy one to one and a half parking spots and feature barriers and window areas for protection from vehicles and dust.
• 🚶‍♀️ Sidewalk cafes are also part of the program, with over 1,800 of these setups citywide.

Distribution and Liquor Licenses

• 📊 Of the 617 roadway cafes, Manhattan has the most with 324, followed by Brooklyn with 182.
• 📉 Queens has 33, the Bronx has 8, and Staten Island has zero applications for roadway cafes.
• 🍸 Only seven out of the 67 roadway cafes have approved liquor licenses, pending assessment by the State Liquor Authority.

Industry Perspectives and Future

• 📉 The New York City Hospitality Alliance notes that local restaurants are losing money, with some having given up entirely.
• 💡 There is a strong call to make the outdoor dining program year-round, allowing restaurants to innovate and create beautiful streetscapes.
• ☔ While the weather may not always be ideal, the program offers an option for al fresco dining, with structures designed for better accessibility and protection.