List of Austin Bars to Reopen - 25% At A Time, Texas Is Opening Back Up
Texas Is Open!? Sort Of…
Initially, I want to say that I am not using this to encourage you to go out and dine in restaurants or drink in bars, but I am simply here to educate, straight from the source!
Keep distancing yourself, 6-feet away, wear a mask whenever you can when you’re around others, and stay safe!
Bars opening up this Friday see below
This list is constantly evolving, email me, DM me, or comment on this post to share reopenings with me so I can add to this list, please!
Updated 5/21/2020
Right now (as of May 20, 2020), we have the following operating at 25% occupancy:
restaurants
retail establishments
movie theaters
shopping malls
museums
libraries
wedding venues
swimming pools
gyms & exercise facilities
Cosmetology salons, barbershops, hair salons, nail salons, tanning salons, personal-care establishments (tattoo studios, piercing studios, hair removal services, hair loss treatment), child care facilities, massage parlors, youth clubs, certain manufacturers, and golf courses are open to operate, but taking certain safety precautions and upholding the six-foot social distancing rule.
Which leads us to the newest order by Governor Abbott, which starts May 22nd.
This order, in short, says that Texas is allowed to open bars, bowling alleys, bingo halls, simulcasting, skating rinks, rodeos, with 25% occupancy. A week later, zoos, aquariums, and natural caverns will also open with 25% occupancy.
I read the most recent order, and allow me to explain what new standards are starting on Friday.
Restaurants
Dine-in restaurants will go from 25% to 50% occupancy, but this applies only to restaurants that less than 51% of their profits come from alcoholic beverages.
If that restaurant has interactive exhibits, video games, or arcades, then those must remain closed.
Bars
Bars or similar establishments are open but at a 25% total occupancy limit of the establishment.
If that establishment has any interactive exhibits, video games, or arcades, then those must remain closed.
Bars - Minimum Health Protocols
Customers cannot loiter or gather directly at the bar or in heavy traffic areas, instead, they should remain seated at tables inside the establishment.
Bars will only provide service to seated individuals, at tables, not the bar.
Since it’s unfeasible to expect patrons to wear masks during eating & drinking, there should not be more than six people seated at a table.
Parties should practice social distance, staying six feet away from other parties, even when waiting to be seated or waiting to enter the establishment.
Close contact activities, including dancing, is discouraged.
Pathways for entry and exit should always be clear.
Staff will need to ensure that parties obey the 6-foot rule.
A hand sanitizing station will need to be placed at the entry of the establishment.
No tables allowed of more than six people.
Tables & chairs must be arranged to maintain social distancing and not be moved.
Orders will be taken from customers seated at their table or by phone/web application.
Contact-less payment is encouraged. If not possible, contact should be as minimum as possible. Wash & sanitize after the payment process.
Dining in Bars Protocols
Don’t leave condiments, flatware, glassware on an unoccupied table.
All items such as condiments, flatware, cups, etc will need to be single-use, disposable items (non-reuseable).
Menus need to be disposable, a new one for each patron.
If there is a buffet, the employees at the bar need to serve the food to the consumers.
Employee Protocols
Train all employees on the appropriate disinfection, cleaning, hand washing, and respiratory etiquette.
Screen ALL employees before entering the bar or similar establishment.
Send home any employee showing signs or symptoms of possible COVID-19 (see a list here)
Do not allow an employee to return to work or come to work who has a confirmed case of COVID-19 by lab tests until the end of their 14-day quarantine period.
Employees need to wash & sanitize their hands upon entering the bar and between interactions with patrons.
Employees must maintain their six feet, social distancing among patrons & coworkers.
Consider asking all employees to wear cloth face covering or mask over the nose and mouth while working.
There are also protocols when it comes to maintaining, managing, and abiding by the new standards for owners and operators that can be found HERE. If these protocols aren’t followed, the business could face a suspension in TABC license (30 days for first offense & 60 days for the second offense.)
Bowling, Bingo, Simulcasting, Skating Establishments
Bowling alleys, bingo halls, simulcast racing, skating rinks, or similar establishments are open but at a 25% total occupancy limit of the establishment.
Minimum Health Protocols
Avoid being in a group larger than 10 individuals.
Minimize in-person contact with others that aren’t in the same household as yourself. Maintain the six feet of social distancing.
If this is unfeasible, wear a face covering or mask, wash & sanitize hands, and don’t share utensils or common objects.
Self-screen by taking your temperature and be aware if you have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 before leaving the house and entering the establishment. If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms, stay home, and quarantine for the 14-day period.
Wash & disinfect upon entering the establishment and after any interaction with employees or patrons.
Consider wearing cloth face covering or mask over nose & mouth.
Avoid being within 6 feet of patrons aged 65 years or older due to their higher risk of COVID-19. These individuals should stay at home as much as possible.
Make it a habit to carry hand sanitizer and use it frequently.
Rodeo & Equestrian Events
Rodeo and equestrian events are open but at a 25% total occupancy limit of the establishment.
Minimum Health Protocols
Venues are encouraged to use remote ticketing options in order to help manage capacity.
Patrons should abide by the 6-foot social distancing practice.
Keep at least two empty seats (or 6 feet of separation) between parties in respective rows except:
Two or more members of the same household can sit together with two seats or six feet empty on either side
Alternate rows between spectators.
Ensure to disinfect seats and frequently before and after use.
Food protocols & payment protocols are similar to the ones in bars and similar establishments mentioned above.
Drive-In Concerts
“Under guidelines that facilitate appropriate social distancing, that generally require spectators to remain in their vehicles, and that minimize in-person contact between people who are not in the same household or vehicle.”
Amateur Sporting Events
“Amateur sporting events at which there is no access to the general public allowed; and for which all participants have tested negative for COVID-19 prior to the event, are quarantined for the duration of the event, are temperature-checked and monitored for symptoms daily, and are tested again for COVID-19 at the end of the event.”
Starting Friday, May 29, 2020
Zoos, Aquariums, & Natural Caverns will open but at a 25% total occupancy limit of the establishment.
Minimum Health Protocols
Individuals should avoid being in groups larger than 10 individuals. Individuals should minimize in-person contact with others outside of their household. If maintaining 6 feet of separation is not possible, one should wear a face covering or mask, and wash & sanitize hands frequently.
Self-screen by taking your temperature and be aware if you have any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 before leaving the house and entering the establishment. If you are experiencing any of the signs or symptoms, stay home, and quarantine for the 14-day period.
Make sure to wash & disinfect hands upon entering the establishment.
It is said that the benefit of wearing a mask is to remind you to not touch your face.
Avoiding making physical contact with other patrons. Use hand sanitizer regularly inside zoos, aquariums, or similar establishments, especially before eating.
Professional Sports
Professional football, basketball, tennis, car racing, softball, golf, and baseball events will need to be approved on a league-to-league basis to be played with no spectators physically present at the venue.
Youth Sports Programs
Practices may start but games and competitions cannot commence until June 15, 2020.
Still Closed
Interactive amusement venues, such as video arcades, amusement parks, and water parks.
The following bars, breweries, & wineries are opening their doors this week:
B.D. Riley’s Mueller (opened the 15th) - 1905 Aldrich St, Austin, TX 78723
The Blind Pig Pub - 317 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
The Brass Tap [Domain] - 10910 Domain Drive Ste 120, Austin, TX 78758
Broken Spoke - 3201 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Buckshot - 422 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
Buck Wild - 310 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 [ Opening Friday @ 12am - 2am ]
Buford’s - 700 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
Chupacabra Cantina - 400 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
Container Bar - 90 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
Dogwood Rock Rose - 11420 Rock Rose Ave #130, Austin, TX 78758
Dumont’s Down Low - 214 W 4th St suite b, Austin, TX 78701 [ Opening Friday @ 5pm - 2am ]
Friends and Allies Brewery - 979 Springdale Rd, Austin, TX 78702
Gibson Street Bar - 1109 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Haymaker - 2310 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78722
Hops & Grain - 507 Calles St #101, Austin, TX 78702
Icenhauer’s - 83 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
Infinite Monkey Theorem Winery - 702 Shady Ln, Austin, TX 78702
The Iron Bear - 301 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
The Jackalope - 404 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
Kung Fu Saloon DT - 716 West 6th Austin, Texas 78701 [ Opening Friday @ 12am - 2am ]
Kung Fu Saloon Rock Rose - 11501 Rock Rose Ave Suite 140 Austin, TX 78758 [ Opening Friday @ 12am - 2am ]
Lala’s Little Nugget - 2207 Justin Ln, Austin, TX 78757
The Lucky Duck - 1300 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702 [ Opening Friday @ 12pm ]
Lustre Pearl - 94 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
Lustre Pearl East - 114 Linden St, Austin, TX 78702
Mean-Eyed Cat Bar - 1621 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78703
P6 at The Line Hotel - 111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
Posse East - 2900 Duval St, Austin, TX 78705
The Ranch - 710 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
Sellers Underground - 213 W 4th St, Austin, TX 78701
Shakespeare’s Pub - 314 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
South Austin Beer Garden - 10700 Menchaca Rd, Austin, TX 78748
Stagger Lee Bar - 87 Rainey St, Austin, TX 78701
Star Bar - 600 W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 [ Opening Friday @ 4pm - 2am ]
Thirsty Nickel - 325 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
Tipsy Alchemist - 70 Rainey St #200, Austin, TX 78701
Two Bucks - 503 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78701 [ Opening Friday @ 12am - 2am ]
Valhalla Esports Lounge - 710 B W 6th St, Austin, TX 78701
Warehouse Billiard Bar - 509 E Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
The Wheel - 1902 E Martin Luther King Jr Blvd B, Austin, TX 78702
Wonder Bar - 11500 Rock Rose Ave Suite D, Austin, TX 78758
The bars/breweries/wineries that have announced
that they won’t open yet:
Cheer Up Charlies - Possibly opening early to mid-June
Kitty Cohen’s - Possibly opening the last weekend of May
Nickel City - But going to still offer a frozen drink to-go pop one last week (Wednesday- Sunday)
Small Victory - 108 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78701
Velouria - 3801 S Congress Ave Suite 116, Austin, TX 78704
If you own a bar or similar establishment and want to promote that you are opening your doors to the public, following the protocols above, please email me/DM me/comment on this post and let me know so I can add your details!
Let’s continue to support our Austin! We’re still the Live Music Capital of The World, no one will take that from us. Love y’all!
Stay safe, strong, & healthy y’all!
Cheers!
