See where J.J. Foley’s plans Cape Cod summer 2026 entertainment venue
Backyard by Foley’s plans to open an outdoor entertainment venue in Dennis Port in summer 2026. Here’s what the property looks like in April 2026.
The family that runs a celebrated Irish pub in Boston wants to open a sprawling tent-covered outdoor entertainment spot in Dennis Port this summer.
It’s a proposal some town officials see revitalizing downtown but has neighbors worried about noise and a diminished quality of life.
Backyard by Foley’s will stretch from an old two-story structure at 645 Main St. almost to Rogers Way. What is now a vacant lot will be redeveloped into an outdoor entertainment venue with seating for 384 and parking for 129 cars.
“We’re looking to create a space for families of all ages,” said partner Michael Foley II in an April 13 telephone call. “We’re trying to be a draw for Dennis Port.”
Foley’s family runs J.J. Foley’s Cafe in Boston’s South End, founded in 1909 and said to be Boston’s oldest Irish pub.
Foley wants to bring back foot traffic to downtown Dennis Port. He wants to collaborate with small local businesses so they can offer pop-up shops, outdoor workout events, a farmers’ market, perhaps even a breakfast pop-up station.
“We’re creating an environment in Dennis Port that is missing,” he told the selectboard at an April 7 meeting. “We’re promoting Dennis Port. We want to keep people moving locally. Dennis Port needs more foot traffic.”
At that meeting, the selectboard voted to grant seasonal alcohol and entertainment licenses to Foley’s Hospitality Partners LLC.
“This is going to bring back Dennis Port,” said Selectboard member and licensing vice-chair John Terrio.
Selectboard Chairman Christopher Lambton agreed. “It would be a renaissance,” he said.
The small downtown is home to Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafe, Red Nun Bar and Grille, Knockout Pizza, Buckie’s Biscotti, the Den, an antique center and shopping plaza. Commercial tenants have left the area over the years.
Foley said a number of business owners have reached out to him regarding some kind of collaboration. A Letter of Intent is in place with Holy Cow Ice Cream Cafe so they can be on site daily, he added.
The license approvals are conditional on the applicant getting health and building department permits.
But not everyone at the April 7 public hearing was in favor of the proposal. Neighbors who live on South and Edwards streets said the Backyard would be in their backyards. They worry that a stockade fence will not dampen the noise coming from the property seven days a week. The selectboard approved the licenses for 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.
Selectboard Vice Chairwoman Carlyn Carey acknowledged that tourists flock to the Cape for vacation.
“I want you to be aware that this is a potential vacation party every day,” she said to Foley.
Sara Trainer, who lives in Saltworks Condos on South Street was worried about the noise coming 14 hours a day into her backyard. She cited children playing, music coming through speakers, adults laughing while eating and drinking.
“We’ve paid our taxes,” she said. “We have a right to the quiet enjoyment of our own homes.”
A 33,000 square-foot backyard
The parcel is a long one with frontage on Main Street and South Street. The Dennis Public Library on Edwards Street is on one side, and Saltworks Condos are on the other.
Sprawled across 33,000 square feet will be a tent-covered main bar, two to three smaller pop-up bars, and a 15-by 15-foot stage. Cornhole, giant Jenga and other lawn games will be concentrated in a game zone. Plans call for a projection screen for watching movies and sporting events and independently operated food trucks.
There will be no permanent fixtures for Backyard by Foleys. They will be stored in the two-story building on the lot. Eventually the 3,894 square-foot building at the front of the property might hold two commercial tenants, Foley said.
Speakers will play background music, and live acoustic performances will be offered. A maximum of two musicians at a time will be on stage. Scheduling those performances is still a work in progress, Foley said. He added that a decibel meter sitting 150 feet from the stage will be monitored to make sure the noise levels don’t exceed town ordinances.
It was the size of the potential crowd size that concerned Mike Wardel, who lives on Edwards Avenue.
“There’s room for more than 300 people. We have to hold them to that,” he said, referring to Foley Hospitality.
The capacity number is still uncertain, according to Foley. The building commissioner will have the final say on capacity, he said.
Mid season check in
The selectboard’s approval came with a stipulation that Foley Hospitality Partners meet with the board in August and again at the end of the season to review noise data and concerns about trash and sanitation.
A Planning Board special permit staff report, dated Jan. 29, acknowledged there were some details that might “need tweaking,” to ensure what looks like a fun attraction doesn’t become a nuisance to nearby homeowners.
The report suggested that the capacity be no more than 250 people to begin operations, with the possibility of petitioning the board for larger occupancy.
Denise Coffey writes about real estate, commercial development, the grocery industry, tourism and covers the towns of Eastham and Wellfleet. Contact her at [email protected] .
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