Update: The Town of Amherst Inspections Team and Board of License Commissioners have facilitated the opening of outdoor dining and alcohol service at seven Amherst restaurants so far. Opening this Friday with expanded outdoor seating and alcohol service are; The Hangar, Bistro 63, Johnny’s Tavern and IYA. Approved but opening at a later date are Mission Cantina, The Harp and Jake’s at the Mill. We anticipate more establishments will be added to this list soon.
Town Manager Paul Bockelman commended Amherst staff for their hard work to expedite and streamline the application and inspection processes, allowing our local businesses to offer services to their patrons much more quickly.
Please contact the establishments directly for hours and service information, or consult the Amherst BID and Amherst Area Chamber websites.
Previous Release: In accordance with the Governor’s COVID-19 Order No. 35 issued yesterday, the Town is accepting requests from restaurants to provide outdoor table service today.
“Our Inspection Services Department is ready to act on applications immediately,” said Town Manager Paul Bockelman. “To expedite permitting, we have a team prepped to work with local restaurants who are interested in expanding outdoors. This includes alcoholic beverages license adjustments – all in the same department.”
The Inspection Services Department will assist restaurants in creating and expanding temporary outdoor dining areas both adjacent to their businesses and in other possible designated locations. An expedited application process will be coordinated by professional Inspection Services staff and will include building, health and fire code review by the submission of one application. The application form is on our website at: amherstma.gov/inspections
We will expedite permitting of all applications.
Outdoor table service means service that is provided outside the restaurant building envelope, whether on a sidewalk, patio, deck, lawn, parking area, or other outdoor space. Applications will require a sketch of the proposed location which can be either hand drawn or created using the Town’s GIS mapping system. Related documents including specifications of furnishings, perimeter barriers, and decorative elements are required parts of the application. Town staff will review the application to ensure appropriate access, surfaces, ADA access through and around the proposed outdoor dining areas, and health and fire safety. All approvals will be conditioned with the Massachusetts Safety Standards checklist for Restaurants and the ABCC Patio Guidelines, if applicable.
Proposals will be reviewed by scheduling site visits or virtual meetings to discuss the application. Inspection Services will coordinate other approvals including proposals for alcohol service to the Board of License Commissioners and for use of public way to the Town Manager. Applications should be submitted to Licensing Coordinator Steven McCarthy at mccarthys@amherstma.gov.
For assistance applicants can also contact Inspection Services at 413-259-3030.