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!