the pillars have to be shored up beneath the "patio" or what you are calling open air seating. There are not that many seats there and were mostly used during lunch so I don't think it is making a huge difference.
Papagayo does a great lunch business...and every time we ate there for dinner in April it was also full.

Anyone can eat there...which is the original question.

It does not have the best food on the island....but we enjoy the entertainment and the convenience. We usually go for happy hour and stay for the evening. We can drink and not worry about driving home.