Gary Higgins
A stretch of Dudley Street in Dorchester’s Uphams Corner is among the areas that will see new opportunities for restaurants to serve alcohol. Dorchester is set to receive seven of the 21 new liquor licenses recently approved by the Boston Licensing Board as part of the city’s effort to expand alcohol service in neighborhoods that have historically had fewer licenses, such as Dorchester and Roxbury.
The new approvals follow state legislation passed last September, championed by Mayor Michelle Wu and the City Council, which granted Boston 225 additional licenses — the largest increase since Prohibition. For decades, the Legislature’s cap on licenses kept supply far below demand, driving up market prices and putting them out of reach for many small restaurateurs.
Over the next three years, the city plans to distribute the new licenses across 10 neighborhoods: Charlestown, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Roslindale, Roxbury, the South End, and West Roxbury. Licenses are being issued on a rolling basis, with 37 approved earlier this year and another 21 added last week, most covering all types of alcohol and some limited to beer and wine.
Segun Idowu, Boston’s chief of economic opportunity and inclusion, described the licenses as a vital revenue stream for local restaurants. He added that the city will continue to provide support services to help license holders remain successful long-term.
Restaurants receiving new licenses include:
- South End (02118): Mesob Restaurant, Capri, Wash El Beverages
- Roxbury (02119): Weston Way, District 7 Cafe
- Dorchester: Cool Shade Jamaican Restaurant (02121); Blasi’s Kitchen & Bar, Milkweed, Pizza 24 (02122); Molinari’s, Doune & Pepe (02124); Chilacates Cantina (02125)
- Jamaica Plain (02130): AAA Restaurant, Miami Restaurant, Mr. Drinky
- Roslindale (02131): Knoll Street Tavern, Sweeties, Green T Coffee Shop
- West Roxbury (02132): Somtum Modern Thai Cuisine
- Brighton (02135): Mo’s Tavern & Kitchen
- Hyde Park (02136): Boston Pickle Club