Business Featured Food & Drink

2021 Outdoor Dining Pilot Program Will Bring Tables Back to the Streets

The City of Boston has announced the launch of an outdoor dining pilot program for the 2021 season, beginning April 1, 2021 and continuing through December 1, 2021, weather permitting. The program will build on initiatives from this year’s program, such as streamlined permitting and outdoor patios on roadways that enable restaurants with narrow sidewalks Read More…

Community Featured Food & Drink Meetings

City Hearings Dish Out Details on Extension of Outdoor Dining and Heating Options

Conducting two hearings on Thursday, the City of Boston’s Licensing Board in concert with an interdepartmental team discussed details related to outdoor dining. Following the Walsh administration’s decision to extend outdoor dining until at least December 1st in an effort to offer continued relief for the restaurant industry in the wake of the COVID-19 publish Read More…

Business Featured Food & Drink

Temporary Outdoor Dining Extended to December 1

The City of Boston has extended the Temporary Outdoor Dining Program on public sidewalks and parking lanes until December 1, 2020. Mayor Walsh has announced the program will be extended past its original closure date of October 31 to better support restaurants during the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency. This extension applies to outdoor dining Read More…

Business Featured Meetings

Licensing Board Provides Outdoor Dining Updates to Neighborhood Council

Kathleen Joyce, Chairwoman of the Licensing Board, provided updates on COVID-19 guidelines for restaurants’ outdoor dining areas to the North End/ Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) during their July 2020 meeting. “I just wanted to reassure everyone on the call tonight, the North End is doing a good job,” started off Chairwoman Joyce. Following multiple complaints Read More…

Business Featured Food & Drink

City to do Random Inspections of North End’s Outdoor Dining

Following an emergency hearing with the Boston Licensing Board, North End restaurants will now be subjected to random inspections after the board received dozens of complaints about the recent “Cafe Zones” throughout the neighborhood. The hearing was mandatory for all North End restaurants to address concerns regarding adherence to the board’s regulations and public safety Read More…

Community Featured Health & Environment

What’s the 311? Resident Parking Concerns, Two Needles Found on Commercial St., Sept. 1 Moving Questions

Welcome back to our weekly update that highlights some of the cases appearing on 311 in the North End/Waterfront neighborhoods. All 311 cases are public information and can be found at 311.boston.gov. North End Resident Parking Access Concerns This 311 user says, “With the recent restaurant patio openings on Hanover St and Salem St in the North End, Read More…

Business Featured Food & Drink

Outdoor Dining Transforms the North End Overnight [Photos & Videos]

Even longtime North Enders who have “seen it all” have been watching in wonderment the overnight transformation of the North End’s streets and squares into European-style cafes and piazzas, complete with umbrellas, plants and even music. After just one weekend, it is clear to even a casual observer that swapping parked cars for dining tables Read More…

Community Featured Government Meetings

Neighborhood Will Decide on Columbus Statue, Say Walsh and Michlewitz; Talk Outdoor Tables, Feasts, Pool, Voting at Residents Meeting [Video]

NEWRA MEETING VIDEO Click/tap here to view the video of Mayor Mayor Marty Walsh and State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, as well as the entire North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) meeting. Use the password: 7Z!+uG8. (including the period) Following a brief COVID-19 update, Boston Mayor Walsh and State Representative Aaron Michlewitz weighed in on Read More…

Featured Food & Drink Transportation

Cafe Zones Start June 11th Expanding Outdoor Tables to City Streets

City officials have installed “Cafe Zone Starting June 11” signs in front of many restaurants in the North End and downtown Boston neighborhoods this week. Over 500 restaurants filed applications citywide and 200 have been approved so far to place tables in the parking and street areas. Outdoor dining started on June 8th with existing Read More…

Business Featured Food & Drink Government

Outdoor Dining on Existing Patios and Retail Stores Among Phase II Reopenings

Outdoor dining on existing patios, retail stores, childcare facilities and hotels are some of the businesses allowed to reopen as Phase II of Massachusett’s reopening plan begins June 8th. City officials emailed restaurant owners that temporary extended sidewalks/street tables are still under consideration, but have not provided additional guidance. The move is sure to be Read More…

Food & Drink

City OKs Year-Round Outdoor Dining

With the enthusiastic support of restaurant owners, the City Council approved outdoor patio service on public sidewalks year-round. Previously, outdoor tables were limited to the months of May through October. Restaurants will still need city permits from the Public Improvement Commission. Privately-owned patios are not impacted by the ruling because alcohol licenses state the allowable Read More…