RyeBelles Restaurant and Bar in downtown St. Joseph will be allowed to host live outdoor music later into the evening this summer following action by city commissioners Monday.
At their regular meeting, RyeBelles General Manager Nathaniel Bishop told commissioners the live music featured out on the patio has been a success the last few years.
“We’ve been doing live music up there for almost 10 years now, and it’s taken a while for it to become what it is now, but it’s got a great following,” Bishop said. “We support a lot of the local musicians, and it’s one of the few ways that we do get a lot of locals to come to Rye Bells during the busy months.”
The problem is that under the current noise ordinance, they have to stop each show by 10 p.m.
“Specifically in July, the sun hasn’t even gone down at 10 p.m. and it’s just a bummer to have to stop everything before that. So we have a very small window to do live music in the summer.”
Bishop was requesting that RyeBelles be allowed to host the live music through 11 p.m. on 12 evenings this summer. They’re all Fridays and Saturdays in July and August. He said the music won’t likely really go until 11, but is more likely to wrap up around 10:30 or 10:45 p.m. But having the extra time gives the performers and the venue more wiggle room.
Commissioner Michelle Binkley said she thinks the proposal is a great idea, adding she’s glad they didn’t ask for any Sundays.
Commissioners approved the request.
