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Committee approves Little Owl’s request to close Bedford Street for 20th‑anniversary party
Summary
The Manhattan CB2 Streets Activities Committee approved Little Owl Restaurant’s permit for a private, invite‑only street event on Bedford Street on June 11, with a full street closure, a maintained 15‑foot fire lane, ID'd alcohol service (beer and wine application pending) and requirements for resident outreach and site coordination.
Jacob, the general manager of Little Owl Restaurant, won committee approval for a one‑day large‑event permit to mark the restaurant’s 20th anniversary on Thursday, June 11. The event will fully close Bedford Street between Grove and Barrow while maintaining a 15‑foot fire lane and pedestrian walkways.
"We are turning 20 this year," Jacob said during his presentation, and described a rolling, invitation‑based celebration featuring sister‑restaurant vendors, street‑level acoustic entertainment and no amplified sound. He told the committee the event is slated to run from about 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., with setup beginning around 3 p.m. and final street clearance by about 11 p.m.
The applicant said the activation will be private and by invitation, with an estimated rolling attendance of 200 to 500 people; organizers plan check‑in stations using clipboards or an iPad and will use wristbands and contracted security to ensure alcohol is served only to authorized adults. Little Owl said it has submitted a one‑day beer and wine application for outdoor service and has spoken with Detective Evrim Kim of the Sixth Precinct about the site plan.
Committee members pressed the applicant for details about resident notification, queue management and barricading. The committee recommended the applicant distribute advance flyers to nearby buildings and coordinate with any block associations. The applicant confirmed accessible restroom access inside the building (90 Bedford Street) in addition to portable toilets on site.
The committee also clarified the correct permit category with SAPO staff during discussion: Little Owl had initially filed under one permit type online and staff confirmed it was recategorized as a large‑street event. The applicant acknowledged the difference and the likely fee and logistics associated with the SAPO process.
The Streets Activities Committee voted to approve the permit application with the expectation that Little Owl will complete required outreach and final coordination with SAPO and precinct staff before the event.
The committee moved on to other items after the vote; the Department of Environmental Protection presentation on noise was postponed because DEP representatives experienced connectivity issues and did not present.
