Pubs and clubs in Wairoa's CBD may be excluded from serving diners alcohol on the footpath despite neighbouring businesses being allowed.
On Tuesday the Wairoa District Council voted unanimously to adopt an alfresco dining policy after a successful trial.
Businesses would have to apply to be included on a schedule of premises
exempted from the liquor ban in public places within the CBD.
Council administrative manager James Baty asked at the meeting if facilities such as the Clyde Hotel would be permitted.
Council policy analyst Sonya Anderson was subsequently asked to word the policy to provide only for those premises where dining was the main activity.
East End Cafe and Bar owner Angie Whitworth said she was glad she had asked for a temporary exemption for her Marine Parade business.
"I was often being asked why you couldn't drink outside," she said.
"A lot of overseas tourists couldn't understand why, when you have such a gorgeous place outside with the river, you have to sit inside to have a beer.
"Council was really kind - they worked hard to get the policy up in time for Christmas before last."
David Swan of Cafe Jafa said the liquor ban had been problematic.
"I was forever leaping up and asking visitors to take their cold beer in from the sun and have it inside," he said.
"They couldn't understand why - international travellers are used to that kind of facility."
Part owner of the Clyde Hotel, Cynthia Haar, said the hotel had no outside dining plans at present.
"If we were to go out onto the footpath we would be serving primarily food in those hours and then that should be okay," she said.
Ms Anderson said policy would provide a level of discretion for councillors considering applicants.
"Wairoa does not have some of the problems associated with alcohol that other centres do," she said.
Mr Swan hoped the attitudes of locals to alfresco dining would change.
"This part of the country should be the barbecue capital of the world, because we have such glorious evenings - but we're not," he said.
"Most people eat inside and many are drinking in front of their TV by six."
But he said times may be changing.
"A lot of this town has been overseas, in fact it's our major export - kids off to Australia. Let's hope they can bring back a more cosmopolitan attitude," Mr Swan said.
