Patrons of popular Saline watering hole Dan's Downtown Tavern may soon be able to hoist a cold one outdoors.

The Saline City Council Monday night approved a special land use permit that will allow Dan Kolander, owner of the bar at 103 E. Michigan Ave., to add an outdoor seating area in the alley behind his business.

“I support outdoor seating,” said Mayor Gretchen Driskell. “It shows the vitality of the town.”

City attorney Allan Grossman said the property is at the back of the building and any liability incurred from the outdoor seating would fall on the owner. “This does not use any part of the public sidewalk,” Grossman said.

The outdoor area will accommodate about 25 seats and five wrought-iron tables, Dan Kolander said before the meeting. He's been seeking approval for outside seating since January. “I was warned that it takes a long time,” he said, adding that the city’s OK is just a step in the process.

“Now I’ve got to get the approval from the state,” he said. He said that State officials were waiting for the city to give its approval, and then the state will inspect his facility.

“I’m hoping that by July, I will have approval from them,” he said.

The area will be non-smoking to comply with the new state law. Music will be piped to the area, which will have planters filled with greenery nearby.

“It will be seasonal, hopefully until November,” said Kolander. “It’s a nice area back there. It’s quiet. You couldn’t have it in the front, it’s too noisy … too much traffic.”

During the meeting, John Olson of the Saline Downtown Development Authority, said that he believed that the café seating at Dan’s Downtown Tavern would help enliven the downtown.

“Even when there are a lot of people inside, the streets are dead. I am excited to see people outside. It will give energy to the town,” said Olson.

Alana West is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Contact the news desk at 734-623-2530.