If you find yourself in a bar, club, concert venue, or restaurant soon, take a look around. Count the number of things the place offers from which you could, theoretically at least, derive enjoyment. Does it have a fully stocked bar? Great! How about a TV or a pool table? Does the place make those bomb-ass parmesan truffle fries? Is there a DJ spinning or a dance floor? No? How about a sound system hooked up to an iPod? All of those help set the tone at a bar or restaurant, and several of them are probably the reason you went there in the first place. However, the city makes it very, very difficult for businesses to get these amenities. The reason is that Boston is saddled with an inflexible, outdated permitting system. More
