The Worcester County Board of License Commissioners approved a request from the 20 Eighth Street Pit & Pub to alter its licensed premises to include a rooftop bar area, subject to a revised site plan and a requirement that the bar be repositioned to the building's east side.

Applicant representatives explained that customers have been asking for upstairs bar service and that the rooftop deck has seating that is often unused. The applicant proposed a bar on the west side of the rooftop overlooking Coastal Highway; during discussion the board expressed concern about congregation facing the highway and sightlines for people entering town. The applicant agreed to relocate the bar to the east side of the rooftop so that patrons would not be positioned directly facing the highway and to reduce the visual impact along the main street.

Commissioners emphasized the need for a clear site plan and confirmed that the rooftop bar would not add overall seat counts beyond the fire marshal's allowances; in fact the proposal reduces the total number of upstairs seats in the plan. The board approved the rooftop alteration on the condition that the licensee submit an updated site plan showing the repositioned bar and exact seating counts before any license modification is issued.

The board recorded a motion and second to approve the change with those stipulations and told the licensee not to commence the licensed rooftop bar service until staff verifies the new site plan.