Proposal would allow acoustic sounds during reasonable hours this summer

If the phrase outdoor patio comes as music to your ears, imagine how your ears would feel on an outdoor patio with real, live music.

In a move to juice up Londons all-too short patio season, city hall is considering a pilot project to allow live entertainment in outdoor seating areas at bars and restaurants.

Under the current bylaw that appears to have come straight from the movie Footloose, no music whether performed live or recorded dancing or other forms of entertainment are allowed.

A change to that would come none too soon for establishments that have endured a long, cold winter.

We support that 100%, said Chris Korkianitis, owner of the Sweet Onion Grill, which opened in Wortley Village last fall.

People like it. Its been a tough winter for everybody and people want to sit outside.

For sure if this gets passed, Ill build a little portable stage and get the entertainment going.

In a recommendation that goes to planning and environment committee Tuesday, city staff is asking council to hold a public participation meeting in May to discuss a pilot program that would permit acoustic music on outdoor patios during reasonable hours this summer.

In effect for more than 20 years, the existing bylaw banning live entertainment on outdoor patios is aimed at reducing conflict arising from noise, city documents say.

The issue came to a head in 2008, when Richmond Row bar The Barking Frog asked Ontarios Alcohol and Gaming Commission to remove conditions restricting music on the patio.

Originally posted here:
Proposal would allow acoustic sounds during reasonable hours this summer