Council Approves Newport Blues Café Outdoor Patio

proposal for an outdoor patio was narrowly approved by the Newport City Council on Wednesday night in a 4-3 vote, with Mayor Stephen Waluk, and Councilors Naomi Neville, Charles Duncan and Henry Winthrop approving. The proposal was approved with several amendments to the Zoning Board's recommendation. 

The café will host seating in the parking lot area between Newport Blues and Sovereign Bank.

The Zoning Board had approved the proposal by the owners last June, stating the 37-foot b 65-foot area could include 20 tables, a bar area, and would be allowed to stay open until 11 p.m.

Originally, the owners had wanted entertainment outside, but took the request off the table. The time frame was also reduced from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m. by the board.

The council amended the Zoning Board’s recommendation, approving the proposal on the conditions that there be no more than 15 tables with four chairs each, the outside bar would be eliminated, that it close at 10 p.m., and that no patrons exit from the rear.  

Councilors said that by removing the outdoor bar, the likelihood of disturbances were far less, equating the patio area to more of a restaurant-type business.

“We arrived on a compromised on a compromise,” Councilor Charles Duncan said. “It’s people going to dinner. . . We’re meeting in the middle on this one.”

Several Newport residents spoke for and against the use of the parking lot as an outdoor seating area.

Opponents cited noise as one of their main concerns, as well as public drunkenness and disorderly conduct associated with the downtown bar scene. 

Waluk responded to complaints, saying it was not fair to hold one establishment, which has no record of any violations, accountable for all the area bars. 

“The reality is, we shouldn’t operate on guilty until proven innocent,” he said. “This is a business that’s played by the rules. The Zoning Board granted them relif on their own property. . .  I don’t think it’s fair to talk about graffiti and noise.” 

Stay tuned to Patch for updates.