Harpoon Beer Garden, Ruth's Chris Cleared To Open In Worcester

WORCESTER, MA — Two major additions to the downtown Worcester dining scene were cleared to open on Thursday with license commission signing off on permits for Ruth's Chris Steak House and a Harpoon beer garden.

Both spots will occupy different portions of the open air Mercantile Center plaza that runs between Mercantile and Commercial streets. The Mercantile — a bar and restaurant with rooftop dining — also opened along the plaza in April.

The Worcester License Commission granted the Harpoon beer garden 30 one-day alcohol permits that will allow the garden to operate from May 26 to July 14. Later this spring, the operator of the beer garden — Grafton's Reunion Tap & Table — will seek a permanent liquor license. Harpoon President Charles Storey has said the beer garden will likely operate into the fall months.

“We’ve recognized the growth and vibrancy of Worcester over the past few years, and we are thrilled to activate Harpoon in this marquee location,” Storey said in a news release Thursday. “The Harpoon Worcester Beer Garden will provide some of the world’s best beers to the people of Worcester.”

The Worcester Ruth's Chris Steak House location has been in the works for nearly three years. Plans for the upscale steak restaurant were announced in August 2019, but the pandemic delayed the opening multiple times. The Ruth's Chris will be located along Mercantile Street across the plaza from The Mercantile restaurant. A representative from the company did not specify an opening date at Thursday's meeting. The restaurant will also have seating for up to 40 people outdoors, and will initially open with only dinner service.

Also approved by the license commission on Thursday:

• Outdoor seating for about 18 people at the Freeplay Bar Arcade, 25 Union St.
• An outdoor seating area for Sundown, a new concept from the deadhorse hill owner that will take over the former Dive Bar along Green Street.
• A new restaurant and bar called 107 Tap with sidewalk seating. The restaurant will be located at 107 Water St. in the Canal District.
• The Worcester Caribbean American Festival at Institute Park on June 19.
• A restaurant called Burritos Tossaint at 377 Park Ave., the former location The Stop Café.