Aurora extends outdoor summer hours for Ballydoyle

The Aurora City Council has extended a temporary liquor license to Ballydoyle, the downtown Irish pub on New York Street, so the restaurant can offer additional outdoor seating later into the evening during the summer.

Along with the extended license, aldermen approved the use of public property adjacent the restaurant for seating along the Fox River. The pub also operates a raised outdoor deck with a bar in the summer.

Ballydoyle tried the setup with two levels of outdoor seating last summer, and city officials said it was successful. The seating/entertainment area will project into what is known as Tivoli Plaza along the Fox River.

As part of the liquor license extension, Ballydoyle will be allowed to offer outdoor seating until 11:30 p.m. as long as any music or entertainment ends at 10 p.m. Last summer, the outdoor area was required to close at 10 p.m.

During a Feb. 28 meeting of the council's government operations meeting where the extended license was discussed, Fifth Ward Alderman Carl Franco said he wants to make sure Ballydoyle remains open during its advertised summer hours, noting that some downtown restaurants have been known to close early when crowds thin out.

He said Tuesday he had received a verbal assurance from Ballydoyle representatives that unless inclement weather hits, the outdoor area will stay open until 11:30 p.m.

Food must be served at the pub throughout the evening until the restaurant closes.

The license allows outdoor seating and entertainment at the location between May 5 and Sept. 17.