A popular Palm Beach restaurant, The Joey, can now serve customers late into the evening after a seven-month battle with the Northern Beaches Council over its operating hours.
The Joey’s owners, Ben May and Rob Domjen, took over the historic beachfront property in August 2023 and spent over $7 million on renovations. They wanted to keep the restaurant open until 11:00 p.m., allowing diners to enjoy the sunset views with dinner and drinks.
However, Council initially denied their request to extend the operating hours past 4:00 p.m., citing noise complaints from many nearby residents.
Community Divided
The decision sparked a heated debate within the Palm Beach community. While some residents expressed concerns about potential noise and traffic, many others supported The Joey’s extended hours.
Some locals believe the restaurant is a valuable addition to the area, which has seen a decline in dining options. A long-time resident felt the decision went against the majority’s wishes. Another argued that The Joey replicates what has existed in the area for over 50 years.
When The Joey applied to change its closing time, 139 submissions were made, with most in favour of the change and only seven opposed to it.
Despite an independent planner recommending approval, the application was rejected, stating that longer operating hours would increase noise and traffic, impacting the area.
A Hard-Won Victory
Following the decision, The Joey’s owners took the matter to court. After months of wrangling and acoustic testing to address noise concerns, the court finally ruled in favour of the restaurant on Christmas Eve.
The Joey can now open year-round until 11:00 p.m. every day and host two weekly private events. Though pleased with the outcome, Mr May and Mr Domjen expressed disappointment at the limitations on private events, representing a significant potential income source. They plan to revisit this issue in the future.
This case even caught the attention of state officials who recently passed a bill requiring local officials to consider “vibrancy guidelines” when assessing similar applications, especially for venues far from residential areas. Mr May believes this bill will make it easier to negotiate in the future.
The Joey’s owners and staff are excited to welcome diners throughout the day and evening. MR Domjen highlighted the restaurant’s stunning sunset views and the opportunity to finally offer customers a relaxed dining experience during this beautiful time of day.
The Joey is now open from 7:00 a.m. until late, Wednesday to Sunday.
