NYC’s outdoor dining season kicks off
Credit: Eden, Janine and Jim on Flickr
The sun is finally out, and the tables are, too—outdoor dining is officially back in New York City. Mayor Eric Adams on Tuesday announced the start of Dining Out NYC, a program allowing certain restaurants to offer outdoor seating on streets and sidewalks across the five boroughs from April 1 through November 29. At the program’s peak during the pandemic, more than 12,500 restaurants participated. As of Tuesday, just 2,450 outdoor dining setups, including 600 on the street, have been approved by the city, although more are expected to open in the coming weeks.
“‘Dining Out NYC’ is more than just a meal—it’s a representation of New York City’s vibrant streets, energy, and culture,” Adams said. “What started as a way to save 100,000 jobs during the pandemic, has transformed into one of the most popular programs across our city.”
Adams continued: “As we launch another season of outdoor and roadway dining, we are reaffirming our commitment to supporting small businesses, revitalizing our economy, and ensuring that every New Yorker can enjoy the benefits of a thriving and equitable dining scene.”
Approved by the city in May 2023, Dining Out NYC replaces the pandemic-era outdoor dining program, which was a lifeline for businesses grappling with the financial impact of the lockdown. Under the permanent program, sidewalk setups are allowed year-round, while roadway dining operates seasonally from April 1 to November 29.
The program is facing a few hiccups. After a delayed approval process from the Department of Transportation (DOT), which manages the program, Comptroller Brad Lander sent an open letter urging the agency to speed up approvals. In response, DOT adjusted its policies and started granting conditional approval for roadway setups that were further along in the application process, according to Gothamist.
Currently, roughly 80 percent of all sidewalk setups are allowed to operate as their applications are approved, according to a press release.
And New Yorkers may have to brace for a dry summer. As of Saturday, only seven of the 3,000 program applicants have received outdoor liquor licenses. Businesses would also be impacted, missing out on the money generated through alcohol sales, according to the New York Post.
Of the approved outdoor dining setups, the vast majority are located in Manhattan and Brooklyn, with just a few in Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
According to the city, conditional approval for roadway cafes was given to 382 restaurants in Brooklyn, 363 in Manhattan, 39 in Queens, 17 in the Bronx, and just two on Staten Island.
While many participating restaurants are excited about the season’s return, the new program has faced criticism for being too restrictive and costly. Restaurant owners must pay significant license fees based on the size and location of their setups, ranging from $1,050 for a sidewalk or roadway cafe to $2,100 for both. Additionally, they are required to cover the costs of disassembling and storing the setups after November 29.
The program also includes more stringent design requirements, banning fully enclosed structures and instead allowing for umbrellas, awnings, and coverings that can be easily removed.
In March 2024, Mayor Adams launched the application process for Dining Out NYC and unveiled customizable prototypes of modular dining sheds designed to help restaurants comply with the new guidelines.
To address some of these concerns, the city has launched a directory for businesses that sell or rent outdoor dining setups and services, with prices starting at just over $1,000 per month, or around $33 per day. This ensures that restaurants won’t have to find storage for their setups at the end of the season.
Applications for the program are accepted year-round. Interested businesses can learn more and apply here.
A list of businesses approved for roadway cafes can be found here.
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