A downtown Boise bar has filed for a permit to build a patio it doesn’t intend to construct, sparking a debate over equitable enforcement of historic preservation rules on Main Street. Amsterdam Lounge, located at 609 W. Main Street, submitted plans to the City of Boise for an outdoor seating area, but owner Ted Challenger says the application is a deliberate attempt to clarify what alterations are permissible for buildings in the Old Boise Historic District.
For nearly four decades, Challenger says he’s been led to believe that significant changes to his building’s exterior are prohibited. However, the recent approval of a patio for neighboring restaurant Coa De Jima prompted him to question the consistency of those regulations. The situation highlights a growing concern among business owners about navigating the complexities of maintaining historic facades even as adapting to modern customer expectations.
“You have to retain it historical, and they were able to put on a very permanent awning to their building, and then a patio, which stops the foot traffic,” Challenger explained. “It makes it really hard.” The core of the issue, he says, isn’t about wanting a patio for Amsterdam Lounge, but about ensuring a level playing field for businesses operating within the historic district.
Historic District Concerns and Sidewalk Access
Both Amsterdam Lounge, housed in the original Telephone Annex building constructed around 1900, and Coa De Jima, formerly a Masonic temple built in 1892, are located within Boise’s Old Boise Historic District. According to reporting from BoiseDev, Challenger is particularly concerned about the impact of the Coa De Jima patio on pedestrian traffic. He estimates the patio encroaches on almost six feet of the sidewalk.
“Most people don’t see it, but on Friday and Saturday nights, and even Thursdays, when you put a patio like they did, and Hannah’s has a line on holidays, there’s nowhere to walk,” Challenger said. “And then they sell tacos, and then that gets people backed up.” This congestion, he fears, could negatively impact other businesses and the overall pedestrian experience on Main Street.
Permitting Process and City Response
Coa De Jima applied for its patio permit on October 21, 2025, and received approval from the City of Boise on November 3, 2025. Amsterdam Lounge’s application is currently under review. Challenger admits he doesn’t fully understand how Coa De Jima’s patio was approved, stating, “I don’t realize how they got any of that to pass, and the police told us it wasn’t even signed off on. And I was like, well, I’m going to apply for one and then see if they deny it.”
City of Boise permit records show Coa de Jima holds an active sidewalk cafe license and received approval for the patio structure in 2021. Last fall, the city issued a certificate of appropriateness for a vestibule structure on the patio, with stipulations that it could only be in place from the second Friday of November through the second Friday of March, with a five-day removal buffer. However, BoiseDev reported the vestibule was still in place as of Wednesday, March 18, 2026, five days after the deadline.
A Point About Consistency
Challenger is adamant that Amsterdam Lounge has no intention of building a patio. “I don’t aim for to build one. I’m just trying to make a point… I don’t have a purpose,” he said. His goal, he explained, is to demonstrate what he perceives as inconsistent application of rules within the historic district. “To prove that We find just different rules for different people.”
Amsterdam Lounge, described as “Boise’s classiest and most spacious lounge” on its website, amsterdamboise.com, offers a cocktail menu and bottle service. The lounge is currently offering weekday specials, including half-off Espresso Martinis on Wednesdays and half-off featured cocktails and tequila on Thursdays. It also features private table service for events and parties.
What’s Next?
The City of Boise has not yet made a decision on Amsterdam Lounge’s patio permit application. Challenger has stated that if the permit is approved, he will not proceed with construction. He hopes the process will force a review of the regulations governing alterations to historic buildings and ensure consistent enforcement moving forward. The outcome of this application could set a precedent for future development and preservation efforts in downtown Boise.
The City of Boise has been contacted for comment and this story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Share your thoughts on the balance between historic preservation and business development in downtown Boise in the comments below.
