It’s now officially the season to loop a dog leash around the table leg and sip a cold drink under an umbrella — that is to say, outdoor dining is now open for the summer in Concord.

For the Barley House, outdoor seating has attracted new patrons and while expanding seating capacity. As a restaurant known for its proximity to the State House and tavern feel, being able to bump out into Main street sunsets drew a new crowd, said owner Brian Shea.

“Before, I would say summer was almost even a slow few months for us,” Shea said. “Now, summer is actually one of our best seasons because of the outdoor patio.”

From now through the beginning of October, participating restaurants will be able to have tables and chairs out on city squares, sidewalks and parking spaces.

Though some downtown mainstays have had it for years, outdoor seating was everywhere during the pandemic as local businesses hoped to bring nervous diners to back. It proved so popular that the Concord City Council approved a permanent outdoor dining policy in 2022, aiming to standardize what had been become an increasingly widespread practice.

Restaurants pay a fee based on how much space they take up.

Some restaurants, like the Barley House and Tandy’s, have  dozens of seats. Others, like some coffee shops and the Co-op need just a few. The city’s official outdoor seating season runs from May 1 through October 31, but it ends two weeks early for any business that is taking up a public parking spot. 

The Barley House didn’t offer outdoor seating before the pandemic, but opted to make the change permanent because of its success, Shea said.

The City of Concord publishes its list of regulations for outdoor dining on its website, however, it does not keep a public list of participating restaurants.

Currently, 13 downtown businesses have applied for outdoor seating permits, including Dos Amigos, Street, Live Juice, Social Club Creamery, Brothers Cortado, The Draft, Siam Orchid and the other establishments mentioned in this article, according to city officials who provided a list to the Monitor.   

Catherine McLaughlin can be reached at cmclaughlin@cmonitor.com. You can subscribe to her Concord newsletter The City Beat at concordmonitor.com.