Gov’t expands outdoor café licenses to boost local economy

IAM rendering of the occupied area with tables and seats in an outdoor cafe

The Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) has opened more applications for outdoor café licenses from eligible food and beverage establishments, restaurants, and bars as part of a pilot program.

According to its announcement on Friday, outdoor cafés are a unique form of casual dining that has been advocated by the catering industry.

The IAM announced the introduction of new application criteria and regulations for outdoor cafés following consultations with the industry.

In developing these criteria, the IAM considered the community environment, residents’ livelihoods, and aimed to simplify the previous application process and operational requirements. This includes the operations of outdoor cafés at locations such as “Anim’Arte Nam Van” and Pátio do Comandante Mata e Oliveira at Nam Van.

The new operational rules for outdoor cafés outline several key stipulations. Cafés are prohibited from serving the public between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m., and the use of loudspeakers or similar noisy devices is not allowed.

Compliance with the “Environmental Noise Prevention and Control Law” is mandatory. Applicants must maintain cleanliness and hygiene in both the outdoor café area and the surrounding spaces, conduct regular cleaning during operations, and promptly clean the site after daily use, including removing any stains and properly storing all items at closing.

The authorities have also established safety guidelines for operations during inclement weather, including tropical cyclones and storm surges, to ensure public safety and hygiene.

Industry representatives have reportedly responded “enthusiastically” to the authorities’ proposal for outdoor café permits. The first phase of applications is expected to focus on establishments with previous experience operating outdoor cafés.

Fong Kin Fu, vice president of the United Association of Food and Beverage Merchants of Macao (UAFBMM), stated that the association will monitor the effectiveness of the measures and gather industry feedback, eventually submitting specific recommendations to the government to support industry development.

Yeong Keng Hoi, vice chairman of UAFBMM, noted that the conditions for reopening permit applications align closely with industry demands. Eligible restaurants will be allowed to extend their operating areas to the entrances of their premises, enabling outdoor dining for customers. He also cited the authorities as noting that if the outdoor café initiative receives widespread social acceptance, service hours may be extended in the future based on the conditions of different areas, such as the “Anim’Arte Nam Van” area.

Matt Lei, a member of the IAM Advisory Council, pointed out that approximately 20 venues currently hold permits for outdoor cafés.