Data · Updated Oct 28, 2026
The NYC Build & Open Index
Every week: how many building permits New York City approved, and how many new restaurants and bars filed to open. Free to use and cite.
Building permits approved, by borough
Week of Oct 5–11, 2026 (not refreshed in our Oct 28 update: the city's permit data feed was unavailable to us). Manhattan led with 374 permits, followed by Queens (224) and Brooklyn (198).
Last three weeks
The most recent week is still filling in as the Department of Buildings publishes approvals, so we report the latest complete week. One project can need several permits (structural, plumbing, mechanical), so these are permits, not projects. For the biggest jobs each week, see this week's Rising list.
New restaurant, bar & liquor filings, by county
Applications received Oct 19–25, 2026 and still pending as of Oct 28, 2026. Manhattan had the most new filings (35), followed by Brooklyn (25).
Last three weeks
Counts come from the State Liquor Authority's list of pending applications, so older weeks shrink as applications are decided. Most filings are restaurants and bars; some are liquor stores and groceries. For the new spots worth knowing about, see The Best Bite.
Free to cite in articles, reports and newsletters. Please credit and link:
Source: Tommy Shark NYC Build & Open Index, tommyshark.com/dataReporters and researchers: for neighborhood breakdowns or a specific address, email hello@tommyshark.com.
Get the jobs and openings behind the numbers.
Every Monday, free: the biggest new NYC jobs (Groundbreaker) or the new restaurants and bars filing to open (First Bite).
Construction leads Restaurant leadsFAQ
How many building permits does NYC approve each week?
In the week of Oct 5–11, 2026, the NYC Department of Buildings approved 979 permits through DOB NOW: Build. Over the last three full weeks the total ran between 979 and 1,216. Manhattan had the most (374).
How many new restaurants and bars file to open in NYC each week?
In the week of Oct 19–25, 2026, 97 new liquor license applications were filed for businesses in New York City, Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester, led by Manhattan (35) and Brooklyn (25). Most are restaurants and bars; the count also includes some liquor stores and groceries.
Can I use or cite this data?
Yes. The index is free to cite in articles, reports and newsletters. Please credit "Tommy Shark NYC Build & Open Index" with a link to tommyshark.com/data. For questions or custom cuts by neighborhood, email hello@tommyshark.com.
Method and sources: Permits are counted from NYC Department of Buildings DOB NOW: Build – Approved Permits by approval date, Monday to Sunday. Filings are counted from the NY State Liquor Authority Current Pending Licenses by date received, for New York City's five boroughs plus Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester. Updated weekly.