Bloomington, IL Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitting authority
- Director of Public Works
- Eligible district
- B-3 Central Business District only
- Alcohol service hours
- 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon-Sat, noon-10 p.m. Sun
- Required insurance
- $1,000,000 general liability
- Permit expiration
- Annually, April 30
- Live entertainment
- Not allowed in permit area
Summary
A Bloomington restaurant that wants to serve food and drinks on the public sidewalk needs an annual sidewalk cafe permit from the Director of Public Works. The permit is limited to the B-3 Central Business District, alcohol service must stop by 10:00 p.m., and live entertainment is banned in the permit area.
SIDEWALK CAFE A use of public sidewalk by a food service establishment for the serving of food and beverages on the sidewalk immediately adjacent to the food service establishment, which use will be characterized by the sidewalk use of tables, and chairs and umbrellas. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a sidewalk cafe without a sidewalk cafe permit. ... No permit will be allowed if seats or equipment in the sidewalk cafe result in the need for additional rest rooms or additional parking and unless such additional rest rooms or parking are provided, except that no alcoholic beverages may be sold or consumed after 10:00 p.m. ... alcoholic beverages may only be served or consumed within the permit area between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Full Breakdown
Bloomington City Code § 38-942 makes it unlawful for any food service establishment to operate a sidewalk cafe, defined in § 38-941 as sidewalk seating with tables, chairs and umbrellas serving food and drinks next to the restaurant, without a sidewalk cafe permit from the Director of Public Works. The permit is available only to establishments in the B-3 Central Business District and expires every April 30, with a new application required each fiscal year. Applicants submit a site drawing, an operations plan covering hours and seating capacity, proof of general liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 per person and per occurrence, and a liquor license copy if alcohol will be served.
m. on Sunday; no live entertainment or amplified sound is allowed, though quiet ambient background music is permitted; tables cannot exceed 48 inches in any dimension and umbrellas cannot exceed eight feet across; and a four-foot walking path must stay open at all times. Furniture must be portable and cleared away nightly, and the permittee indemnifies the City and covers any pavement damage. The City Manager can suspend or revoke a permit for up to 30 days after a hearing for violating § 38-945 or applicable health, safety, building or liquor codes.
Violations & Fines
Operating a sidewalk cafe without a permit, serving alcohol outside the 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. weekday or noon to 10:00 p.m. Sunday window, or allowing live entertainment in the permit area violates § 38-942 and § 38-945. The City Manager can suspend or revoke a sidewalk cafe permit for up to 30 days after a hearing on 10 days' notice, and a permittee also owes the City for any pavement damage or uncleared trash within seven days of billing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Bloomington restaurants can get a sidewalk cafe permit?
Can a Bloomington sidewalk cafe serve alcohol?
Can a sidewalk cafe have live music in Bloomington?
How much insurance does a Bloomington sidewalk cafe permit require?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bloomington
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