City Council May Amend Law on Outdoor Alcohol

When restaurant owner Britta Pulliam sought permission to place two tables on the sidewalk outside her “eclectic” cafe, she came up against two conflicting city laws.

The sidewalk cafe ordinance, passed by the City Council last year to promote business, allows restaurants with outdoor dining to serve alcohol.

But when Pulliam applied for her outdoor dining permit, city planners realized that the sidewalk cafe ordinance conflicted with another city code restricting the consumption of alcohol in public places.

As a result, the City Council on Monday will consider amending its ordinance on alcohol consumption in public places to allow for restaurants with outdoor dining permits.

That would sit well with Pulliam, who said that being able to serve beer and wine to her outdoor customers is key to the success of her business.

Outdoor dining “is a neat thing for the city because it brings a lot of charm,” said Pulliam, who said her restaurant serves a range of menu items from steak to homemade granola.

Pulliam’s Balboa Peninsula cafe was the first to request permission to serve alcohol at an outdoor dining area on public property, Assistant City Manager Sharon Wood said.

But Wood said a “significant number” of restaurants in the city would benefit from the revised ordinance.

The City Council will meet at 7 p.m. in chambers at City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd.

Information: (714) 644-3309.