Bomb Bar cleared to expand indoor space; outdoor patio limited to non-service use

The Zoning Board of Adjustment approved an amendment allowing Bomb Bar (207 4th Street) to reconfigure parts of the building and use additional basement and first-floor space for entertainment and bar operations, while explicitly disallowing outdoor patio service as part of the approval.

Staff recommended limiting bar footprint to roughly 1,000 square feet to avoid adding more alcohol-centric uses downtown, but noted the applicant had already begun renovations and the business had an otherwise clean record with no police reports. Owner Caleb Rizzuti and supporters argued much of the basement space is non-usable (storage, bathrooms, corridors) and that additional interior function would enable safer, more varied entertainment (pool, darts) and better circulation.

Supporters and adjacent owners described the proposed recessed 'patio' as a small half-level area better suited to smoking or brief outdoor breaks than active service; the board adopted a condition that no outdoor service occur in that recessed pit area. The board approved the amendment unanimously 7–0 and asked staff to follow up on any enforcement needs related to operations and licensing.

The approval allows the operator to proceed with interior renovations under the amended conditional use while staff coordinates liquor-license and building-permit reviews.