Iowa State students of legal drinking age soon will be able to enjoy a cold beer under the starry sky of Campustown, thanks to a vote passed by the Ames City Council.

The Dean’s List, located at 2522 Chamberlain St., approached the city on Tuesday, asking for approval of opening an outdoor patio. The council voted unanimously to allow the bar to serve customers outside. Starting tonight, patrons will have a chance to drink on the patio.

This is the second time The Dean’s List has applied for the permit. During Veishea weekend this year, The Dean’s List was denied the permit because of excessive charges for city violations. The charges included serving underage drinkers.

Since Veishea, The Dean’s List has worked hard to amend its reputation with the city by increasing door security and changing management.

“The number of files charged for violations has reached a level below that of some of their competitors. We feel they have been making the changes we requested to make things work,” Ames Police Chief Dennis Ballantine said at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Ballantine referred to police reports that showed a significant decrease in the number of underage violations at the Dean’s List since the beginning of the year. In February the bar was charged with 32 underage violations, but in April and May the number of violations was as low as three and four, Ballantine said.

Officials from the police department said they would not object to the request for outdoor service at the Dean’s List. However, they did recommend that the bar provide extra staffing in the outdoor area to prevent any potential problems.

Bands and loud music will not be allowed in the patio area, however, because of the city’s concern over noise levels.

“Their will be no live music,” Dean’s List owner John Laugerman said. “We will be willing to work with the police department to solve any noise problems.”

Laugerman said there will be speakers set up outside that will play music from a radio station at low levels.