Raleigh limits late-night sidewalk use by bars, restaurants

RALEIGH -- Raleigh city officials are restricting the use of downtown sidewalks by bars and restaurants at night because they say patrons have become too loud and disruptive to residents.

The News & Observer reports that the Raleigh City Council voted 5-3 Tuesday to start closing city sidewalks to restaurants and bars at midnight Sunday through Thursday and at 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights.

The new rules, which aim to reduce the number of people on the sidewalks around Fayetteville Street, also limit downtown bars and restaurants to serving one person per 15 square feet of their outdoor space.

The new rules start Aug. 14, but the council plans to evaluate their effect on downtown noise and businesses after three months.

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