Outdoor Dining Expands At Third Street Promenade

SANTA MONICA, CA — Third Street Promenade restaurants will expand outdoor dining to help businesses reopen and recover in the pandemic, the city announced Wednesday.

Third Street businesses have been hit hard by the economic impacts of the pandemic and the move to expand outdoor dining gives restaurants on and around the Promenade more room to dine under the sun, the city told Patch. The plan is to add satellite locations along the public street and create more options for restaurants that might not have the space they need for more patio and outdoor seating.

“Adapting public space for expanded outdoor dining is a key initiative in our business recovery efforts,” DTSM, Inc. CEO Kathleen Rawson said in a statement.

“We are so inspired by the resilience and innovation of the businesses as they continue to navigate change. We know that these talented and determined restaurateurs will continue to play a critical role in our economic recovery," Rawson said.

Hundreds of dining, shopping, entertainment and wellness experiences are located in Downtown Santa Monica. Throughout the pandemic, businesses have stepped up to create outdoor public and private spaces in the area.

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Restaurants using the expanded Promenade outdoor dining space include The Britannia Pub, Lanea, and The Misfit, with The Independence. West 4th & Jane is also expected to open soon.

Existing Promenade restaurants offering outdoor dining include 1212, Casa Martin, Cabo Cantina, Silverlake Ramen, Johnny Rockets, Barney’s Beanery and the freshly opened Cult.

Health and safety are top priorities for visitors, community and staff members at these locations. Face masks and social distancing are required while visiting Third Street Promenade.

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Locals have expressed health and safety concerns on the Promenade throughout the pandemic following recent robberies and allegations about rats living inside the dinosaur topiaries. The city has now added ambassadors to help monitor the area.

Downtown ambassadors will help Santa Monica Police Department as "eyes and ears of the district, providing useful information to help in their crime prevention efforts," officials told Patch.

However, ambassadors are not trained security guards and are focused solely on hospitality and custodial services, officials said.

"DTSM has advocated for overnight private security in the public parking structures in the district and is actively looking at options to financially supplement those services with additional private security officers," officials said in a statement to Patch. "DTSM looks forward to working closely with its community and stakeholders to address these concerns."

Zoning changes on the iconic street have helped eliminated barriers for local businesses in the pandemic as the city works toward a speedy economic recovery.

"The Third Street Promenade Stabilization and Economic Vitality Plan will endeavor to build upon the Promenade’s legacy as an enthralling, dynamic and inclusive city center by focusing on the use of private properties and the development of new zoning elements that will create opportunities for modern and attractive uses like experiential retail, live entertainment, nightlife, museums, small scale manufacturing and more," officials said.

Check out a list of restaurants and food spots along the Third Street Promenade and within the Downtown Santa Monica area on downtownsm.com.

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