Hard Times (1404 King Street) is scheduled to close sometime this year to undergo extensive interior renovations, but a new Special Use Permit said those plans could now include new second-floor outdoor porch seating.
The SUP says the plan is to “add new second floor outdoor porch with seating for 30, located in rear of the existing restaurant.”
The exterior of the bar is currently a nondescript parking lot off S. West Street, but the new porch would bring the total amount of seating up from 118 to 158.
At a Board of Architectural Review meeting earlier this year, owner Richard Kelly said he couldn’t estimate how long the restaurant would be closed, but staff will be relocated to the Fredericksburg, Rockville and Springfield locations to minimize impact on staffing.
Other previously announced work on the restaurant include:
- Two-story handicapped access elevator
- Addition at the west side of the second floor to provide a new accessible restroom, office and service station
- Second emergency exit from the second floor
- Construction of new roof deck with railing
- Interior renovations to improve accessibility and replace or upgrade interior finishes, lighting and more.
