The owner of Dakota’s Sports Bar and Grill and other area pub owners are all smiles as their COVID-suffering venues begin bouncing back to generate income this time from their curbside patios.

Dozens of clubs, pubs and other venues have taken advantage of a CaféTO program, in which patios are added on road or walkways, so extra customers can be served to make up for physical distancing.

With indoor dining still prohibited in Toronto, the patios have been a lifeline for restaurants that previously had limited, take-out or non-existent outdoor dining space in which to serve customers.

Dakota’s patio has been packed as patrons escape from the simmering heat to enjoy a pint or some food.

“Business has picked up a lot with the patio,” says owner Darlene Simpson. “People love being outdoor in a patio when it is this hot.”

It is the first time since April, when COVID-19 struck, that many of the bar owners feel they can make their bills again considering some weeks were rough without only takeout available.

Simpson is pleased that the Lakeshore Village BIA pushed and were able to get many licensed clubs or bars a patio. Many businesses have picked up due to the nice weather as well.

The City of Toronto is still working to provide some local restaurant and bar operators access to public space on city streets and sidewalks to assist with expanding outdoor seating capacity while maintaining physical distancing requirements.

The normal café permitting and application process is intended to be paused in order to provide this expedited opportunity for café operators, City officials say.

There are dozens of the patios to help small restaurants along Lake Shore Blvd. W.

Chris Korwin Kucyznski, Chair, of the Lake Shore Village BIA, says most bar owners seem to like the CafeTO program because it offers then an opportunity to earn some badly-needed funds.