The City of Boston has decided to ban North End restaurants from on-street dining this year, citing narrow and congested streets as part of the reason. Other reasons include the scheduled weekend shutdowns of the Sumner Tunnel and congestion due to the construction of the new North Washington Street Bridge.
However, the North End’s restaurants will be able to apply for private and sidewalk patio dining, but unlike the rest of the city, they will not be able to apply for licenses to put tables in the neighborhood’s narrow streets.
The new restrictions come after North End restaurants fought with the Wu administration last year over a $7,500 fee.
This year, all restaurants in Boston will instead pay a monthly fee for outdoor dining – $399 if they have a liquor license and $199 if they don’t.
Maureen Dahill is the editor of Caught in Southie and a lifelong resident of South Boston sometimes mistaken for a yuppie. Co-host of Caught Up, storyteller, lover of red wine and binge watching TV series. Mrs. Peter G. Follow her @MaureenCaught.
