Bar Tabac Agrees to Sidewalk Cafe License Tightening

Bar Tabac - the popular Boerum Hill bistro and one of Heath Ledger's favorite local watering holes - is bringing the foosball table indoors.

The French restaurant's management has agreed to certain modifications to its sidewalk cafe license, following an August meeting with representatives of Community Board 2 and Councilmember Steve Levin’s office. Several stipulations were agreed upon by the parties present.

When the time came for Bar Tabac's sidewalk cafe license to be renewed, Community Board 2 District Manager Rob Perris wrote in a letter to the City Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises about the community's concerns and complaints.

“The restaurant continues to set up tables contrary to its license, or permits its patrons to do so, or both,” Perris wrote. “Furthermore, some patrons reportedly contribute to sidewalk congestion by having strollers and pets near their tables.”

Perris also noted several noise complaints from neighbors about doors being left open to the sidewalk cafe, and a foosball table outside that takes up the majority of the sidewalk.

And what's more, according to Perris, Community Board 2 receives more complaints about Bar Tabac than any other sidewalk cafe in the district.

“The last thing we want to see is the business go out of business because they’re not getting revenue from the sidewalk cafe,” said Ashley Thompson from Levin’s office.  “But the main concern is that residents in the area can maintain their quality of life.”

Bar Tabac agreed to get rid of the foosball table and their waiter station, use smaller tables and close their doors to keep out noise, among other small changes. Since the rules do not go into effect until the Department of Consumer Affairs has finalized the license, you can still play foosball outside on Smith Street.

Bar Tabac's manager says the restaurant's cultivated outdoor cafe vibe may be affected by the changes.

“It's integral to our business and even to the community,” said Bar Tabac manager Remy Leboux. “We’ve had the same sidewalk cafe for the last ten years...This is a trademark to the neighborhood."

While Bar Tabac is willing to go along with any regulations in order to keep their sidewalk cafe, they don’t view it as a necessary change.

“Every sidewalk sucks to walk down,” said Leboux.

Residents in the area have mixed feelings about the sidewalk cafe. While most agree that it is a great aspect of the neighborhood, many note that there are indeed space and noise issues.

“I love it,” said Jane Ann Groom, who lives directly across the street. “If the noise disturbs anyone, that’s not a good thing, but that hasn’t happened to me.”

“It’s too small to have [a sidewalk cafe],” said another nearby resident Javed Rashal, who has experienced drunken customers, late at night, who make “smart remarks” as he passes. “If it’s a busy night, you actually have to cross the street to get by.”

Resident Deborah W. admits there are pros and cons.

“The positive is you can sit outside and eat and bring your pet,” she said. “But at times it gets kind of crowded and it’s hard to walk by.”

Thompson from Levin's office said she hopes that everybody involved will be satisfied with the compromise.

“Bar Tabac was willing to work with the community,” she said. “Our hope is that they actually abide to the stipulations they agreed to.”