Esplanade’s operating hours extended to encourage nighttime economy

Macau has extended outdoor dining hours by one hour to 10 p.m. to help restaurants, bars and cafés capture evening spending while balancing business interests with residents’ concerns.

The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said the change followed consultations with industry representatives and relevant government departments. The extension aims to support small and medium-sized enterprises and strengthen the nighttime economy.

The bureau has issued 58 licenses under the outdoor dining scheme since its revision last August, ending a 16-year hiatus. The number of valid permits has more than tripled, according to the bureau.

Licensed operators can place outdoor seating on streets and sidewalks adjacent to their premises, creating additional space to serve customers.

However, the later closing time does not relieve operators of their responsibilities for noise control and environmental hygiene.

The bureau said both were key considerations in extending operating hours and had previously reminded businesses of their obligations.

The scheme has been widely welcomed by the industry, although access remains uneven.

Industry representatives have previously warned that restaurants in some older districts may struggle to meet the space requirements for outdoor seating, which could limit their ability to benefit from the policy and attract additional evening customers. NS