The number of sidewalk cafes in downtown D.C. increased for yet another year, confirming what we already knew: D.C. loves to dine outside.
According to the Downtown Business Improvement District, the number of sidewalk cafes increased by 7.9 percent between 2013 and 2014. The number of cafes has increased from 95 in 2009 to 178 in 2014. Most commonly, sidewalk cafes have between one and 20 seats. The smallest amount of seats at a downtown cafe was three, according to the BID, and the largest was 243.
Earlier this year, Mayor Vince Gray and a Council committee endorsed increasing the fees businesses pay to rent public space for sidewalk cafe. The proposal was not included in the passed budget.
