City extends Dine Out Indy program to bars

After 101 restaurants and businesses in Marion County applied to expand or add outdoor seating over the past three weeks, the city of Indianapolis has decided to broaden its Dine Out Indy initiative to include bars.

Bars will be allowed to open at 50% capacity in Marion County on Friday after being closed since mid-March because of the pandemic.

The city’s department of business and neighborhood services on Monday announced that bars will now be able to take advantage of the Dine Out Indy program.

The program was established last month to help restaurants and other businesses expand or add outdoor seating options as the city reopened following COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. As part of the program, the department fast-tracks the mandatory permitting process.

“As more of Indianapolis begins to reopen, the safety of employees, business owners, and patrons continues to be a top priority,” Brian Madison, director of the department of business and neighborhood services, said in written comments. “We are committed to clearing as many obstacles as we can to ensure that these businesses remain an integral part of our economy.”

Since May 22, temporary seating permits have been issued to 101 restaurants and businesses looking to take advantage of the program.

The initiative also includes the closures of some streets that allowed restaurants to expand into the public right of way. Portions of Massachusetts Avenue, Georgia Street and Broad Ripple Avenue will remain closed through July 4.

To learn more about Dine Out Indy, visit Indy.gov/dineout.