Harbor Bar Gets OK for Outdoor Dining, Amid Neighbor Concerns

SCITUATE – The Scituate Select Board approved a request for sidewalk dining at Hibernian Tavern on April 8, clearing the way for the restaurant to install three outdoor tables and 12 chairs on Front Street this season. The decision came with a three-year sidewalk license agreement, but not without pushback from neighbors concerned about noise, crowd behavior, and late-night disruptions.

The seating will be located between the restaurant and the street, bounded by flowerpots and fencing. Select Board members reviewed site plans and confirmed the new configuration meets town and state accessibility requirements.

“We try to be more cognizant for folks that are down there,” said Select Board Chair Andrew Goodrich. “I think it’s a great balance of the business needs but also the residents for the noise.”

The approval is part of a town-wide effort to accommodate outdoor dining, now subject to formal licensing under updated state rules. Unlike temporary pandemic-era permits, Scituate’s new system involves a three-year agreement for sidewalk use on town property.

“It wasn’t required before... now it has to be made part of the license,” said Town Administrator Jim Boudreau. “The sidewalk agreement is the same thing we did with the Salt Society.”

But residents who live above or near the restaurant expressed concern about late-night loitering and crowd behavior, especially after hours.

“I just want to sleep—it’s my home,” said Kathleen Baldwin, a resident. “It’s the only sound in the harbor that time, so it compounds the noise.”

Baldwin noted that during the pandemic, the presence of tables outside the tavern created issues with people lingering after closing hours and engaging in disruptive behavior. She also questioned how the restaurant would manage the sound from inside when the door opened and suggested stronger signage.

“Please respect our neighbors when you leave or something like that,” she said. “Something cordial.”

A representative from the business told the board they are aware of the concerns and are taking steps to prevent issues. They committed to removing the outdoor chairs each night after the permitted hours to discourage late-night loitering and said staff are trained to keep patrons inside and minimize door use.

“We try to stop them,” the representative said. “There’s only so much we can do... but we definitely have the windows closed.”

Outdoor dining will be permitted Sunday through Thursday until 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday until 10 p.m., with only seated, table-service alcohol allowed.

“It was a success in its original configuration,” said Select Board Member Karen Connolly. “It’s a great idea and I like the layout.”

The Select Board voted unanimously to approve the license.

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