Open Restaurants

March 7, 2024

NYC opens applications for new outdoor dining program, unveils modular sheds

Say hello to the future of outdoor dining in New York City. Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday launched the application process for restaurants to take part in Dining Out NYC, the city’s permanent outdoor dining program, and unveiled prototypes of the allowable roadway dining sheds. Designed by WXY architecture + urban design and fabricated by SITU, the customizable prototypes are made of materials from a standard kit, which makes it easier for restaurants to abide by the program’s new guidelines.
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NYC’s proposed outdoor dining rules ban enclosed structures

The outdoor dining shed at Maiden Korea, 316 5th Avenue, in 2021. Photo courtesy of Alfresco NYC.

October 20, 2023

NYC’s proposed outdoor dining rules ban enclosed structures

By Aaron Ginsburg

The city wants to shed its outdoor dining shacks. Under draft rules for the permanent outdoor dining program released by the city on Thursday, fully enclosed "streeteries" would no longer be permitted. Instead, structures on roadways can have umbrellas, awnings, or some other covering that can easily be removed. The city on Thursday launched a 30-day comment period to get feedback from restaurants and the public on the proposed rules. The first approved outdoor dining setups are expected to be installed in spring 2024.
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Permanent outdoor dining in NYC takes major step forward

Nomad’s Pecora Biana on Broadway in June 2020. Photo by Eden, Janine and Jim via Flickr cc

May 19, 2023

Permanent outdoor dining in NYC takes major step forward

By Devin Gannon

The New York City Council and Mayor Eric Adams reached a deal this week on legislation that would make the pandemic-era outdoor dining program a permanent fixture of city life. The Open Restaurants program launched in 2020 as a lifeline for city businesses and as a way for New Yorkers to gather safely. After over a year of debate over a permanent program, the Council introduced a bill on Thursday permitting outdoor dining structures, or "streeteries," on city streets, but only for eight months of the year. So-called "sidewalk cafes" would be allowed year-round. The bill is expected to be voted on by the Council next month.
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NYC businesses on car-free ‘Open Streets’ prospered during the pandemic, report says

Image courtesy of Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

October 25, 2022

NYC businesses on car-free ‘Open Streets’ prospered during the pandemic, report says

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City businesses on streets closed to cars under the Open Streets program reported better sales than those located on streets with car traffic, according to a new study. The city's Department of Transportation on Tuesday released a report that highlights for the first time the positive economic impact of the Open Streets program, which was established at the start of the pandemic as a way for New Yorkers to remain safe and later grew into a lifeline for restaurants and bars. According to the report, Open Streets saw more new businesses open during the pandemic, stronger sales, and a higher number of restaurants and bars stay open than on similar commercial corridors not participating in the program.
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Court dismisses lawsuit challenging NYC’s outdoor dining program

Photo courtesy of Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr

October 5, 2022

Court dismisses lawsuit challenging NYC’s outdoor dining program

By Aaron Ginsburg

New York City's outdoor dining program is here to stay after a New York State Supreme Court unanimous decision. The state court on Tuesday dismissed a lawsuit that had been stalling the establishment of a permanent outdoor dining program. Roughly eight months after the City Council approved a zoning amendment in a move toward permanent outdoor dining, the city says it will now be able to finalize rules and regulations to ensure the Open Restaurants effectively serves local businesses.
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NYC will tear down abandoned outdoor dining sheds under new program

Image courtesy of Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office on Flickr

August 19, 2022

NYC will tear down abandoned outdoor dining sheds under new program

By Aaron Ginsburg

The city has razed and removed two dozen abanonded dining sheds this week, under a new program announced by Mayor Eric Adams. The mayor on Thursday introduced a multi-agency initiative that will highlight open and active outdoor dining sheds in the city's Open Restaurants program and remove neglected structures of shuttered restaurants. The city launched the Open Restaurants program in 2020 to keep businesses open during the pandemic, ultimately saving 100,000 jobs, according to Adams. While the majority of restaurants with outdoor dining follow the guidelines, the abandoned sheds have become eyesores.
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Open Restaurants

NYC opens applications for new outdoor dining program, unveils modular sheds

NYC’s proposed outdoor dining rules ban enclosed structures

Permanent outdoor dining in NYC takes major step forward

NYC businesses on car-free ‘Open Streets’ prospered during the pandemic, report says

Court dismisses lawsuit challenging NYC’s outdoor dining program

NYC will tear down abandoned outdoor dining sheds under new program

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