A downtown bar is receiving permission to operate an outdoor patio throughout the winter months.
On Wednesday, councillors voted to provide the Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery with a special right-of-way permit allowing it to operate a small outdoor patio on Dunlop St. through until April 14, 2025. The patio will extend eight feet in front of the Dunlop Street front, somewhat less than is currently allowed during the summer months.
The move is part of a pilot program championed by Ward 2 councillor Craig Nixon and Ward 6 councillor Nigussie Nigussie. By allowing the popular downtown establishment to try its hand at all-weather outdoor dining, the pilot is expected to help city determine if these patios would be prohibitively disruptive.
“This came about as a request because, well, our winters aren’t what they used to be,” said Nixon. “This is just a pilot — we’re looking at having one restaurant put out a few tables and we’ll see how it goes.”
Before the final vote, Nixon proposed amending the bill to allow for two other businesses to establish similar patio spaces between March 15 and April 14, 2025. “Basically, the amendment is to allow a couple of other establishments to join in — but they are really not interested until St. Patrick’s Day.”
Ward 4 councillor Amy Courser, who went on to support both the motion and the amendment, voiced some concern that the amendment could end up painting council into an uncomfortable corner.
“I’m all in support of having winter patios— they’re really fun and also very Canadian. The only question I have is: if this doesn’t work out well, will this amendment allow the two other businesses to still open their patios?”
“I believe so. Yeah,” said Nixon. “This is a pilot project. City staff will determine if it worked next year.”
Should the scheme prove successful, other restaurants may be able to apply for similar permits as early as next autumn. “We’ll see what the demand looks like, and, depending on that, look at expanding or discontinuing it,” Nixon said.
Toronto council announced a similar pilot project in 2021. The CaféTO proved very popular with restaurateurs and it was made a permanent program the next year. In 2023, more than 1,000 outdoor dining spots applied for and received special winter patio permits.
