Dear NYC Nightlife Community,
Yesterday, Mayor de Blasio announced that New York City will enter for Phase 2 of reopening this coming Monday, June 22. This phase will allow outdoor dining for restaurants and bars, which is an important next step for NYC. Please remember, as of today, June 19, we are still in Phase 1 which means that there is currently no outdoor seating for this weekend.
Our restaurants and bars are vital to the city’s economy and culture, so the Office of Nightlife is sharing information on how to prepare your restaurant or bar under the NYC Open Restaurants Program which is available at nyc.gov/restaurauntreopening. All venues MUST apply online before offering outdoor dining, through the NYC Business Services website, where you may receive an immediate certification. The application covers SLA as well.
For all information regarding the Open Restaurant Certification, visit nyc.gov/restaurantreopening or call the Small Business Services Hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC.
However, as the city prepares to expand the reopening, it’s up to us New Yorkers to be mindful that we are still in the middle of a pandemic. Please respect the process, protect yourself, look out for each other, socialize responsibly, and consider the residential community. We know this is difficult, but let’s work together to get this right and work to have a safe and magical summer in New York.
In that light, the Office of Nightlife will continue its work and commitment to ensure that there is fairness overall in the nightlife community and industry. Since the creation of this office, we have always been committed to supporting and advocating for safe spaces and social justice, protecting cultural spaces, fair regulations, and proportionate enforcement, while working to ensure nightlife works for all New Yorkers.
PHASE 2: Open Restaurant Certification Application now available!
Monday, June 22nd is the first day of Phase 2 of the reopening. Under New York State guidelines, Phase 2 allows the following industries to resume:
- Offices
- Real Estate
- Essential and Phase 2 In-store Retail
- Vehicle Sales, Leases, and Rentals
- Retail Rental, Repair, and Cleaning
- Commercial Building Management
- Hair Salons and Barbershops
- Limited Film Production and Principal Photography
- Outdoor and Take-out/Delivery Food Services
This means that restaurants and bars will be able to offer outdoor dining in specified areas, including adjacent sidewalks, curb lanes, backyards, patios, and areas designated as Open Streets.
Restaurants and bars will be allowed to self-certify their eligibility for curb lane and sidewalk seating using a new application process. Restaurants must adhere to all local, state, and federal law, including requirements relating to accessibility for people with disabilities. Customers are not permitted to gather outside of establishments. Businesses that repeatedly fail to comply with laws may have their Open Restaurant authorization revoked and referred to the State Liquor Authority (SLA).
All venues MUST apply online before offering outdoor dining, through the NYC Business Services website, where you may receive an immediate certification. The application covers SLA as well.
Visit nyc.gov/restaurantreopening or call the Small Business Services Hotline at 888-SBS-4NYC for information about how to apply, including the criteria and guidelines.
