Here are Rochester restaurants gearing up for outdoor dining in 2024
ROCHESTER — It finally looks like winter is over for real. People want to be outside, and restaurants can now put out tables and chairs and offer outdoor seating, with a city permit.
Outdoor dining became popular during the COVID pandemic, as a way for people to feel safe going out to a restaurant. The idea proved to be so popular some establishments have continued to offer it to their patrons.
In Rochester though, only a handful of eateries are set to participate in 2024. Mitchell Hill BBQ Grill and Brew, located at 50 North Main St., applied for an outdoor dining permit through the city.
"We find our customers enjoy the experience," said Robert Benoit, owner of Mitchell's "You can watch people on the streets while you are eating, and people like being outside when the weather is great."
Benoit said they have five outdoor tables.
"The city signed off on our permit Monday, so we sent the information to the Liquor Commission, who also must sign off," he said. "We hope to get that back by Thursday and if the weather is good, we can be ready to go as early as next week. "
Jenn Marsh, assistant director of economic development, said Revolution Taproom and Grill, located at 61 North Main Street has a lease with the city to use Factory Court, an alleyway beside the restaurant so it is not required to apply for a permit each year.
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Lilac City Grille has its own space for outdoor dining, fenced and at the rear of the restaurant property.
The deadline to apply for city permits for existing restaurants was March 1.
"New restaruants coming in after the deadline are eligible to apply," said Marsh. "We are expecting a new place on Hanson Street so when they come they can ask to do outdoor dining.
The permit fee is $25 for spaces up to 100 square feet, and $1 per additional square feet. There are strict rles regarding serving alcohol outdoors, and outdoor entertainment is not allowed.
"We can, and do run a speaker outside," said Benoit. "We have entertainment inside and people can listen to it while dining outside."
This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Rochester NH restaurants to offer outdoor dining in 2024
