Birmingham Council OKs Al Fresco Dining as ‘Hail Mary’ for Restaurants
Birmingham restaurants will now be able to use sidewalks and parking spaces for outdoor dining, the City Council decided Tuesday. The decision, described by District 2 Councilor Hunter Williams as a “Hail Mary from the mayor’s staff,” is intended to give restaurants greater seating capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ordinance will allow food and beverage venues to apply for a shared-space permit, which would allow them to serve food and alcohol in certain outdoor spaces adjacent to their businesses. These permits would last through Sept. 30, but District 5 Councilor Darrell O’Quinn suggested that the city might extend that deadline “if this works out well.”
“I think it’s something that we should consider for a permanent permitting process,” O’Quinn said.
Williams agreed: “If all our restaurants and bars had tables out on the sidewalks, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
Restaurants across the country have experienced financial hardships due to COVID-19. Reduced indoor seating mandated by social distancing policies — as well as increased public reluctance to dine out — has caused many restaurants to scale back their staff or shut down entirely.
Birmingham previously had tested an outdoor dining strategy with last month’s “Eat in the Streets” event in Avondale, which closed off portions of 41st Street South to use as outdoor seating for nearby restaurants.
What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know
The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?
What are your unique holiday traditions? NPR wants to know
The holiday season is full of traditions and we all celebrate them a bit differently. NPR wants to your most unique holiday traditions. What makes celebrating this time of year feel special for you?
3 culinary tricks that might get you to eat more veggies, according to chef Roy Choi
Chef Roy Choi, known for his Korean-Mexican fusion food trucks, focuses on veggie-forward dishes in a new cookbook. He shares techniques to get you excited about your greens, plus 3 flavorful sauces.
3 culinary tricks that might get you to eat more veggies, according to chef Roy Choi
Chef Roy Choi, known for his Korean-Mexican fusion food trucks, focuses on veggie-forward dishes in a new cookbook. He shares techniques to get you excited about your greens, plus 3 flavorful sauces.
Trade tensions hang over Trump’s Asia trip, but he still aims to make a deal
President Trump plans to attend a summit in Malaysia before meeting the new Japanese prime minister in Tokyo and talking to Chinese President Xi Jinping in Korea.
Blue Jays rout Dodgers 11-4 in World Series opener
Addison Barger launched the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history, as the Toronto Blue Jays overwhelmed the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the opener Friday night in Toronto.
