An applicant came before the NABB (Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay) Licensing and Building Use Committee at its monthly meeting held virtually on Aug. 3 to detail a plan to fully renovate an existing Courtyard by Marriott at 88 Exeter St., along with a proposed upgrade to the hotel’s current liquor license.
Attorney Tom Miller outlined the proposed renovation of the hotel at Exeter and Blagdon streets, including the upgrading of all its guest rooms (although the number of rooms will remain the same).
As part of the renovation, the hotel also intends to renovate the existing lobby and reading room, as well as completely remodel its existing restaurant and bar with dark wood to capture what Miller described as “the old Boston feel that’s been disappearing around town over last few years,” amid rampant modernization.
Per the current liquor license (which the applicant intends to expand to a full liquor license), the hotel and bar now close each night at 10:30 a.m., but the applicant is now petitioning the city to extend the closing time for both establishments to 2 a.m., which, said Miller, would put it on par with the closing times for other hotel restaurants and bars in the neighborhood.
The menu will shift towards full service from its current lighter-fare focus, said Miller, but the restaurant won’t become a fine dining establishment either.
Miller said the renovated restaurant, which will accommodate 46 guests, is intended mainly as an in-house amenity for hotel guests, although both establishments would continue to be open to the public as well.
Moreover, Miller noted unlike some other Back Bay hotel bar and restaurants which face busy streets, like Boylston, the Courtyard by Marriott is located in a less visible spot. “You’re unlikely to just stumble on it,” he added.
In another matter, representatives for 7th Street Burger at 267 Newbury St. returned before the committee to request extending its current closing time from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. (The 40-seat restaurant now operates each day from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and doesn’t serve any alcohol.)
Representatives for the Back Bay outpost of the fast-growing New York City-based chain had previously come before the committee at its May 4 virtual hearing and then proposed extending its hours to a 2 a.m. nightly closing time.
At the Aug. 3 meeting, Attorney Tom Miller (who coincidentally also represented the applicant in the night’s other matter) said the restaurant was now pursuing a 1 a.m. closing time, after NABB and abutters had expressed concern with the previously proposed 2 a.m. closing time.
Miller noted four other restaurants on the same block now have closing times of 1 a.m., and he added that 7th Street Burger expects to cater mainly to people working late shifts in the neighborhood who want to quickly get something to eat on their way home.
Conrad Armstrong, committee chair, told this applicant he would likely notify them of NABB’s position on their application with the city (i.e. to oppose or not oppose it) before the end of the week.
