Hackney council's licensing sub-committee has approved a variation to the premises licence for Howl at the Moon in Hoxton, allowing for more patrons outside and revised conditions for outdoor drinking and furniture, following concerns raised by local residents.
The decision, made on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, saw the Licensing Sub-Committee A consider amendments to the licence for the bar at 178 Hoxton Street. The application sought to remove several existing conditions, including those limiting outdoor patron numbers, the use of glassware outside after 8pm, and the removal of street furniture by 8pm. Specifically, the venue sought to remove conditions 9, 10, 14, 28, 29, 30, and 31, which related to limiting outdoor smoking numbers, preventing open drinks containers outside after 8pm, a written search policy, maximum patron numbers outside at specific times, limits on seated patrons and benches outside, and the type of containers for outdoor consumption.
These proposed changes were met with objections from local residents, represented by Councillor Kam Adams and the Hoxton East and Shoreditch Ward Panel. Concerns centred on ongoing compliance issues with current restrictions, including reports of groups congregating outside with glasses after 8pm, high noise levels at closing time, and patrons obstructing the pavement, forcing pedestrians into the road. These issues were argued to potentially undermine the licensing objectives of preventing public nuisance and ensuring public safety.
The representation from Councillor Kam Adams stated, Residents have raised serious concerns about removing or relaxing the existing restrictions, particularly given ongoing compliance issues under the current conditions. Specific reports include: Groups of 15 or more people congregating outside after 8:00 PM with glasses. High noise levels at closing time. Patrons obstructing the pavement, forcing pedestrians into the road, which raises public safety and anti-social behaviour concerns.
Connor Clark, General Manager of Howl at the Moon, explained that the proposed changes aimed to formalise current operational practices and align the premises licence with the shop front trading licence. He highlighted that the venue had not received noise complaints since December of the previous year. Mr Clark stated, We haven't had any noise complaints now since February. No, sorry, December last year, sorry.
He also proposed the introduction of quarterly liaison meetings with residents to address concerns.
During the hearing, the subcommittee discussed the proposed amendments, including allowing up to 30 patrons outside between 8pm and 10pm, reducing to 20 after 10pm, and serving drinks in plastic or polycarbonate containers outside after 8pm. The removal of street furniture from Stanway Street was to be no later than 10pm, in accordance with the premises' Shop Front Trading Licence.
David Tuitt, Team Leader for Licensing and Technical Support, supported the variation to align conditions with the shop front trading licence and acknowledged potential duplication with existing legislation. Mr Tuitt stated, Home office guidance talks about aligning – sorry, not so much aligning, but primary legislation not being duplicated by conditions on licenses.
Following discussions, the applicant agreed to specific concessions, including a reduction in the number of patrons permitted outside after 10pm to 20, and the addition of a condition for quarterly liaison meetings with local residents. The applicant proposed adding a new condition requiring quarterly liaison meetings with local residents, to be publicised and facilitated by Hackney Nights. The decision on the final variation of the premises licence was issued within five working days.
For more details on the meeting, refer to the Public reports pack.