Outdoor Beer, Wine Service Gets Preliminary OK

Restaurants will soon be able to serve alcoholic beverages at sidewalk and patio tables.

The City Council has given preliminary approval to an ordinance allowing eateries to offer beer and wine at tables outside the business. The ordinance comes after calls by merchants in the growing Old Town area to lift a drink-service ban for sidewalk dining.

The law, expected to get final approval Feb. 24, will limit the sales to patrons eating food at these establishments. Beer and wine sales will end at 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight on Friday and Saturday.