I got to Bardog Tavern at 10:50 yesterday morning and waited outside until 11 when they opened. With half the bar seating removed, I didn’t want to take the chance of not getting a seat. I was the only one there early, though. At 11 Melissa opened the door, subbing for regular bartender Bloom who is out of town.
Here’s all the stuff you need to know about Bardog’s reopening:
- There’s now a “Please wait to be seated” sign at the door. You can still sit where you like, but the reason they ask you to wait is so they can take your temperature.
- You must have a mask to enter, and must wear it anytime you get up from your seat. You don’t have you have your mask on while seated and eating or drinking.
- Seating is socially distanced. You can pull bar stools together to sit with the other people in your group, provided that your group is distanced from other groups.
- Employees are doing a stellar job masking. I was there 5 hours and never saw an employee with a mask worn incorrectly or without a mask.
- Employees are also wearing gloves when it is appropriate to do so.
- Hand sanitizer is available at every table and within reaching location from every bar seat.
- I observed one person tab out and leave his seat at the bar. Another customer, who had been sitting at the window, stepped over to claim the now-empty seat, but the manager stepped in and said, “hang on, let me sanitize it first.” Great job!
- It’s still smoking upstairs, nonsmoking downstairs. I heard going nonsmoking was at least considered, but I guess they see a lot of value in being the last locals’ bar in the Downtown core to allow smoking.
- They reopened at full hours, 8 AM-3 AM weekdays and 11 AM-3 AM weekends.
Perjorie T. Roll demonstrating how to social distance as she stands next to a can of hand sanitizer at Bardog
I called it a very early night and was in bed by about 8, which meant I woke up around 12:30. For the next two hours I heard tires squealing, engines revving, and several gunshots. Why aren’t the police doing more to get this under control? I heard more gunshots last night than I have in the last 17 years living Downtown.
Central Station will host Live from the Patio with Tim and TJ Plunk at 6 PM Friday, July 3. The event listing says “tune in or stop by” so this appears to be both a live and a virtual event.
That’s all I’ve got for now. I can’t make up my mind where I want to lead off today. Back to Bardog? Blind Bear? Silly Goose? I guess it will be wherever my feet lead me. Weather permitting, I may hit Max’s Sports Bar at 4:30 to spread a little sunshine. Back tomorrow with more news.