Outdoor dining patios that became a common feature of Washington, D.C.’s restaurant scene during the COVID-19 pandemic are now rapidly disappearing, as some establishments face regulatory roadblocks and enforcement actions.

One such example is Purple Patch, a Filipino restaurant in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood. On July 12, owner Patrice Cleary gathered about 90 community members for a farewell event marking the closure of the restaurant’s outdoor patio. The patio, adorned with small Filipino and American flags, had served as a social hub for the area, hosting events such as birthday celebrations, engagements, and even weddings.

Cleary described the patio as integral to the neighborhood’s character and expressed disappointment in the difficulties she encountered while navigating the process to secure a permanent permit for the structure. The patio had operated for over eight months under a temporary permit program initiated by the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) in June 2020, which allowed restaurants to expand dining outdoors to promote business and safety during the pandemic.

Despite having submitted an application for a permanent permit, Cleary was issued a notice of non-compliance by DDOT, demanding the removal of her patio within 11 days and warning of potential fines up to $500 as well as additional costs if the district had to dismantle the structure. The notice came as a surprise, as Cleary believed the patio could remain open while her application was under review.

Faced with the risk of financial penalties and removal expenses, Cleary said she felt compelled to comply with the order, leading to the decision to hold a final gathering for the patio’s closure. She described the permitting process as lengthy and exhausting, stating that the experience left her physically, emotionally, and mentally drained.

Purple Patch’s patio was once one of ten such “streateries” along Mount Pleasant Street, known as a central business corridor in Northwest Washington. As of July 2026, only one outdoor dining patio remains on that stretch.

The streateries program was initially a temporary response to the pandemic, enabling restaurants and bars to create outdoor eating spaces on sidewalks and streets to facilitate social distancing. While the program offered vital economic support during a public health crisis, many business owners now face challenges transitioning to permanent permits, as city regulations and enforcement measures tighten.

The evolving regulatory environment signals a shift as D.C. moves beyond the pandemic phase, leaving some restaurateurs grappling with how to preserve these outdoor amenities that have become popular with customers and communities alike.