Show Your Support: Keep Outdoor Dining at Arriba Arriba
The Issue
To Erik Bottcher, Member of the New York City Council
We, the undersigned, are writing to express our strong support for Arriba Arriba, a beloved restaurant that has been a cornerstone of the Hell's Kitchen community for over 41 years, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Recently, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), specifically the Dining Out sector, issued an order for the removal of all outdoor seating on the side of the restaurant due to concerns about insufficient walking space. This decision was made despite Arriba fully complying with all city requirements and having a permit for outdoor front and side seating, including spending a considerable amount of money on sidewalk repairs.
This decision is especially concerning given the city’s recent actions: After Arriba was forced to remove a well-loved roadside patio due to a new taxi lane earlier this year, the same sidewalk was dug up again for a landscaped area surrounding the tree that had been there for years, further reducing the DOT’s acceptable walking space.
Arriba Arriba has not only been a popular dining spot but also a welcoming space for all, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community. The outdoor seating area has provided an essential space for patrons to enjoy their meals and for the restaurant to thrive in a post-pandemic environment.
We urge the Department of Transportation to reconsider this decision, and we ask for your support in advocating for the restoration of all outdoor seating on the side of the restaurant, which has long been an important part of the neighborhood's cultural fabric. We believe that restoring the outdoor seating will not only improve the restaurant’s ability to serve its customers but also preserve a vital part of Hell's Kitchen's cultural heritage.
Please sign this petition to show your support and help us bring this matter to the attention of the Department of Transportation and our district council member, Erik Bottcher, so he can advocate on our behalf.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
- Arriba Arriba Employee(s)
1,013
The Issue
To Erik Bottcher, Member of the New York City Council
We, the undersigned, are writing to express our strong support for Arriba Arriba, a beloved restaurant that has been a cornerstone of the Hell's Kitchen community for over 41 years, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Recently, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT), specifically the Dining Out sector, issued an order for the removal of all outdoor seating on the side of the restaurant due to concerns about insufficient walking space. This decision was made despite Arriba fully complying with all city requirements and having a permit for outdoor front and side seating, including spending a considerable amount of money on sidewalk repairs.
This decision is especially concerning given the city’s recent actions: After Arriba was forced to remove a well-loved roadside patio due to a new taxi lane earlier this year, the same sidewalk was dug up again for a landscaped area surrounding the tree that had been there for years, further reducing the DOT’s acceptable walking space.
Arriba Arriba has not only been a popular dining spot but also a welcoming space for all, particularly in the LGBTQ+ community. The outdoor seating area has provided an essential space for patrons to enjoy their meals and for the restaurant to thrive in a post-pandemic environment.
We urge the Department of Transportation to reconsider this decision, and we ask for your support in advocating for the restoration of all outdoor seating on the side of the restaurant, which has long been an important part of the neighborhood's cultural fabric. We believe that restoring the outdoor seating will not only improve the restaurant’s ability to serve its customers but also preserve a vital part of Hell's Kitchen's cultural heritage.
Please sign this petition to show your support and help us bring this matter to the attention of the Department of Transportation and our district council member, Erik Bottcher, so he can advocate on our behalf.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
- Arriba Arriba Employee(s)
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Petition created on August 8, 2025