NYC Outdoor Dining Season Kicks Off with New Rules and Marketplace

Outdoor Dining Season Begins in NYC

• 🍽️ Outdoor dining officially returned to New York City on Tuesday, April 1st, allowing restaurants with approval to set up their dining structures.
• 💨 Despite the official start, the weather was still too chilly for many, resulting in fewer people dining outdoors initially.

Sidewalk vs. Roadway Dining Rules

• 🛣️ Roadway dining, set up in the street, is seasonal and operates from April 1st to November 29th.
• 🚶 Sidewalk dining setups are now permitted year-round.

Program Growth and Popularity

• 📈 The outdoor dining program has seen significant growth, with over 3,400 applications submitted.
• 🏢 An estimated 600 roadway and 2,000 sidewalk setups were expected to be operational by the start date.
• 💬 Public opinion is mixed, with some enjoying the option to eat outside while others express concerns about safety and sidewalk accessibility.

Support for Restaurants

• 💰 To assist restaurants, NYC created the Dining Out Marketplace, a directory for businesses selling or renting compliant outdoor dining sets.
• 💲 Rentals are available for as low as $33 per day, and restaurants can apply year-round.
• 📊 The current program is more than two and a half times the size of the pre-COVID sidewalk cafe program.