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Select a topic below for information to help you and your business.
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Alcoholic Beverage Control Law §106 contains new privileges for on premises licensees to serve liquor and wine for takeout and delivery.
Learn more about the law, NYS Liquor Authority Guidance, and FAQ here.
(Available in multiple languages by clicking the "Translate" button at top of page.)
Drinks To-Go Guidance for Licensed Venues (English, pdf)
Mayor Eric Adams announced that the City of New York has lifted Key to NYC vaccination requirements for customers of indoor dining, indoor entertainment, and indoor recreation businesses, effective Monday, March 7.
The NYC Deptartment of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) resumed conducting full inspections on July 19, 2021, including issuing letter grades and summonses subject to fines.
Emergency Executive Order No. 214 states that Health Department permit holders have until August 14, 2021 to renew their Food Service Establishment permits. Renewal notices are currently being mailed and permit holders may renew now.
As part of NYC Business Quick Start, a Small Business Advocate can help you with your permit renewal. Call the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) hotline to ask for help: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692).
Learn more about the DOHMH Inspection Process here.
On July 5, 2021, Mayor de Blasio signed two bills expanding protections for fast food workers in New York City. Together, these bills protect fast food workers from being fired without "just cause" or for a bona fide economic reason.
If you are NOT fully vaccinated, please wear your mask (PDF).
Call the DOHMH right away at 866-692-3641 with any questions or to report a confirmed COVID-19 case.
Starting November 1, 2021, food service establishments (including, but not limited to, full-service restaurants, fast food restaurants, cafes, delicatessens, coffee shops, bars, nightclubs, grocery stores, vending trucks, or carts and cafeterias) in NYC are restricted from providing single-use plastic beverage straws, stirrers, and splash sticks to customers as follows:
Food service establishments who violate the provisions of this bill will be liable for civil penalties. Learn more here.
Currently, NYC restaurants can open for table service in outdoor areas. “Outdoor space” is an open-air space without a fixed roof. Outdoor spaces may include public sidewalks, curb lanes or other approved areas, and outdoor private areas on premises.
Restaurants with access to privately owned outdoor space may open in this space, as long as following the appropriate NYS and NYC health guidance.
Establishments seeking permission to place outdoor seating in front of their establishment on the sidewalk and/or roadway should apply for the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT)'s Open Restaurants Program.
Note: This application is only for establishments seeking permissions to place outdoor seating in front of their establishment on the sidewalk and/or roadway. You do not need to apply if you are looking to place outdoor seating on private property. You must complete an application and certify even if you already have a NYC sidewalk cafe license.
Learn More and Apply for the Open Restaurant Program
For help completing the application, please call the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) hotline: 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692).
On September 25, 2020, NYC announced that the popular Open Restaurants program will be made permanent. The program, currently under development, will continue to allow food service establishments with business frontage on the ground floor and licensed by the NYC Dept. of Health to utilize sidewalk and roadway area for outdoor seating.
NYC Open Restaurants Supplemental FAQ (PDF).
During an active snow alert:
Download the Plastic Water-Filled Barriers How-Tos Flyer (PDF).
As NYC re-opens post-COVID19 and restaurants expand outdoor seating, we cannot forget about accessibility. This information lays out the requirements for maintaining physical accessibility for outdoor dining.
The NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) offers one-on-one free virtual compliance consultations to help you understand how to comply with key City rules. Our virtual consultations will help you understand key City rules and common compliance challenges related to the Open Restaurants Program - we will not issue violations or fines.
Business owners are encouraged to request a consultation if they:
You can sign up for our Virtual Compliance Consultation service at no cost by logging into your SBS Connect account or creating a new account.
Sign Up for a Virtual Compliance Consultation
NYC's Open Streets program allows communities to embrace new public space and support small businesses. Open Streets prioritize pedestrians and cyclists by transforming streets into public space. This program allows for a range of activities and supports local businesses and schools.
Open Streets are coordinated in partnership with local community organizations. Public and private schools may also submit an application for Open Streets. All applications must be submitted by the school administration.
For questions about the Open Restaurants program, self-certification process, or translation assistance with the application, please contact DOT online.
Participants in the Open Restaurants program interested in providing comfort heating for their customers in outdoor dining areas have two options:
As of June 1, 2021 propane-fueled heaters are not allowed to be used or stored in outdoor dining areas.
Food service establishments with private outdoor dining spaces may use heating devices subject to the applicable guidance from FDNY and/or DOB.
The Open Storefronts program assists existing ground-floor storefront businesses who want to use outdoor areas on a temporary basis. The program allows eligible businesses to conduct activity on sidewalks, on roadways (only in the Open Streets: Restaurants program), or a combination of both. The program has been extended through December 31st, 2021 and now allows businesses to sell pre-packaged food on sidewalks and restaurants to use sidewalks for take-out orders.
For a list of eligible retail activities and detailed siting criteria, visit nyc.gov/openstorefronts.
Apply here:
Open Storefronts Dashboard & Application
Next Steps: Businesses that self-certified will receive an email from the City authorizing outdoor retail on the City's sidewalk and/or roadway in front of the establishment, in accordance with all applicable terms and conditions, laws and guidance. Businesses should print and prominently display their Open Storefronts email confirmation.
Is your restaurant struggling to find staff?
Hospitality Hire is a no-cost recruitment resource to help meet the immediate staffing needs of restaurant businesses citywide.
Our Workforce1 Career Centers can tap our pool of 100,000+ candidates to identify qualified individuals to meet your Front-of-House and Back-of-House hiring needs by:
For more information or to view a webinar recording, please use the following links:
Submit a request for hiring assistance here.
The City has tried to provide you with correct information on this website. While every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, errors are still possible. The information provided is not legal advice. You may need additional information to meet the legal requirements for starting or operating your business.
