Bayside's Bell Boulevard To Become Outdoor Dining Destination

BAYSIDE, QUEENS — Bell Boulevard and 41st Avenue will turn into an expansive outdoor dining room every weekend for the rest of the summer, city officials announced Thursday.

Starting on the Fourth of July, adjoining stretches of Bell Boulevard and 41st Avenue will close to cars so local restaurants and bars can offer additional outdoor seating options.

Bell Boulevard will be closed between 39th and 41st Avenues, and 41st Avenue will be closed between Bell and 214th Place, though there will be space in the center of each street for emergency vehicles.

The streets will be closed on Friday evenings, Saturdays from 5 to 11 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 10 p.m., every weekend through Labor Day.

“Between our customers and our restaurant owners, it's hard to tell who's happier!” said Christine Silletti, executive director of the Bayside Village BID, which is managing the street closures.

The Bayside streets are among 22 locations citywide that will close to traffic on weekends, under a new "Open Restaurants on Open Streets" program meant to help local eateries weather the economic devastation wrought by the coronavirus pandemic.

As many as 20 city streets will join the list starting July 17, Mayor Bill de Blasio said.

Nearly 7,000 New York City businesses are now offering outdoor dining options, according to city data. The setup is one of few lifelines available to restaurants and bars that won't be able to offer indoor dining anytime soon, thanks to concerns over COVID-19's spread.

“Combining our popular Open Streets and Open Restaurants programs will give more New Yorkers the space they deserve to enjoy the outdoors safely — and give small businesses the chance to rebuild after facing unprecedented challenges this spring,” de Blasio said.