Jason Paiz and Javier Treviño were among the first customers to enter La Roca Cantina when the downtown bar opened at 4 p.m. Friday.
A manager, only half-visible behind a black face mask, worked the door with a bottle of sanitizer in hand to spritz down the paws of anyone entering.
In compliance with Gov. Greg Abbott’s distancing restrictions, Paiz and Treviño navigated a maze of markers on the bar’s floor indicating where they could and could not walk on their way to a table in a corner.
The music was quieter than usual, barely noticeable over chatter of staff, voices muffled by masks, and the few others sitting at tables and sofas inside the bar.
On the first day bars could operate in Texas after a two-month shutdown, at La Roca there was no rattle of ice in glasses; drinks were served in disposable plastic cups. There was no rushing to say hi to folks at another table; there weren’t that many other folks with indoor seating capped at 25 percent of the max capacity indoors. There was no listening to the gossip of others; tables were placed 6 feet apart, and no one was allowed at the bar.
On a Friday night in February 2020, B.C. (before coronavirus) crowds would be yelling over the music and rattle of cocktail shakers. But this is May 2020, A.C., and happy hour returned to the great state of Texas with more of a golf clap than a bang.
Paiz and Treviño are old friends who hadn’t seen each either in months and convened at La Roca to toast with a gin and tonic and cold beer. Friday’s outing gave them a chance to catch up in a familiar space while someone else did all the work.
“Just sharing the space with people you’re used to seeing is important,” Treviño said.
On Friday, restaurants also were allowed to seat more people, 50 percent of their capacity indoors, up from 25 percent. But it seemed cocktails and beer were on more people’s menus, especially early in the morning when the mood was decidedly more celebratory.
Seconds after the clock struck midnight, JR Vega was quick to ring the bell at his bar, the Winchester in Alamo Heights.
“Ladies and gentlemen, the bar is open,” he shouted.
Within the first four minutes, there were six customers. Instead of waiting for the traditional start of the business day, Vega opted to give his customers a two-hour party before starting it all over again at 10 a.m. Friday.
Yolanda Hernandez had to have been one of the first customers to enjoy a legal drink back in a bar. At 12:01 a.m., she was served up her traditional order of a bottle of Michelob Ultra beer and a shot of Jose Cuervo Gold tequila, which was consumed within seconds, and then she was photographed by staff to preserve this moment in history.
“That went down so good!” Hernandez said, with happiness in her voice. “I’ve known Vega for 15 years now, and when he said he was going to open, I told him I’ll be here. It’s been a rough couple of months for the business.”
Added bartender Chad Buckley, who was working with Lexy Vargas on the first drink orders: “This reminds me of the first day of football practice. … I stayed up all night because I was so excited to get back to work.”
On ExpressNews.com: S.A. bars can reopen Friday under phase 2 of coronavirus reopening in Texas
The Winchester can seat just 40 at a time now. Tables were placed in front of the perimeter of the bar to discourage patrons from attempting to order from it, and as guests entered the building, their hands were sprayed with sanitizer before they were given a seat assignment by staff.
Twenty minutes prior to the opening, Alex Campos, Michael Saathoff and Kyle Urias sat in their truck with the engine rumbling. They decided to get to the Winchester early, anticipating a line and concerned they wouldn’t be able to able to make the capacity cut. They were the first group in, and they toasted the occasion with a round of Rumple Minz shots and whiskey and Cokes.
“We had no idea what the scene was going to be, and we haven’t had a drink in a bar for so long, we forgot what it feels like,” Urias said.
Cowboys Dancehall was another bar that chose to get a jump on the day. A line had formed around the Northeast Side establishment just before the clock struck midnight with partygoers waiting to get a drink after two months in quarantine.
An employee at the door who was taking temperatures was the only person wearing a mask in the massive crowd of people, according to a witness and photos from the scene.
Mayor Ron Nirenberg said that had him concerned, and that Police Department and code enforcement authorities visited the management at Cowboys on Friday to talk about occupancy standards and that patrons followed the rules.
“We don’t want to retreat back in to restrictions,” he said. “What I expect that they’ll be doing is reminding their patrons that their ability to do business requires the patrons to follow the public health guidelines.”
The Cobalt Club on McCullough Avenue was another early riser Friday. It regularly opens at 7 a.m., which has made it a favorite of health care workers finishing late-night shifts at the Methodist Metropolitan Hospital just down the street.
Eight customers already were in the building by 8 a.m., including a table with the maximum of six in a group, all dressed in scrubs, and who declined to be interviewed.
“Our regulars all know each other and want to mingle. I’m not completely sure what the best way to handle that will be, but we’ll do our best,” bar general manager Ryan Shows said.
Outdoor seating doesn’t count toward the 25 percent mandate — although owners still have to make social distancing accommodations — and bars with spacious outdoor areas were eager to greet customers.
The Old Main Ice House in Cibolo opened at 2 p.m., and within the first 20 minutes, five outdoor tables under the shaded patio roof were occupied by 12 patrons with drinks in hand.
“I’ve been cooped up inside for far too long ... it was time to go out and drink a beer outside,” Chris Kottke said.
The Old Main had a 25-patron limit inside, but the backyard has about 8,000 square feet and could handle up to 200 people. Tables and chairs were spread throughout the artificial turf lawn in groupings that had at least 6 feet of distancing, and bartenders were on site to operate both the indoor and outdoor bar areas.
“We’ve been a place that has garnered lots of local support, so we are expecting a good crowd,” said Nick Marquez, who was also in the process of opening his nearby Bar House in Schertz on Friday. “You can say this or that about what was fair or unfair between the differences between bars and restaurants. I’m just happy to be open again.”
Not all owners were ready to tap into the opportunity to open their bars. The list of places choosing to remain closed was nearly as long as those opting to open among establishments the San Antonio Express-News contacted.
On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio bar owners are using downtime for renovations and updates
Don Marsh, owner of Bar 1919 Star Blue Star Arts Complex south of downtown, explained why he’ll be keeping the doors locked in a May 19 Facebook post.
“At 25 percent capacity, and with all of the extra supplies we have to order, extra staffing, and all other bills adding up, it’s in our best interest to stay closed and await the next phase,” the post read.
Management at Sparky’s Pub on North Main Avenue shared a similar sentiment in a May 20 Facebook post.
“We feel with the 25 percent rule that the establishment is simply not able to comply to the rules and provide the desired set-up to make it a safe and desirable location to have fun,” the post said. “As the rules relax we will be able to open and follow the guidelines in a orderly fashion.”
For others, it’s just bad timing. Benjamin Krick, owner of the Houston Street bars Jet-Setter and Pastiche, had considered opening the large outdoor space at Pastiche this weekend. But with a weather report showing a high likelihood of rain through the long Memorial Day weekend, he backed out of that plan. He’s now considering opening both establishments in June.
At the Pearl on Friday afternoon, Allison Hardin and Jennifer Garrow were among High Street Wine Co.’s customers. The two took seats at courtyard table shaded from the 95-degree sun by towering magnolia trees. The two popped open a hoppy sour IPA from New Zealand and poured a glass as the a bowl of ice water was placed on the ground for Cherry, Hardin’s miniature Australian shepherd, who immediately plunged her paws and muzzle into a chilly beverage of her own.
High Street has put stringent controls in place to keep staff and customers safe during the pandemic. The entire indoor space has been closed to the public, and a former outdoor bar has become the point of purchase for retail transactions. Customers place drink orders from their table, accessing a contactless menu by scanning a QR code on their cellphones.
“Opening like this with the precautions does give some people a sense of safety,” said Hardin, who visits High Street about once per week. “But I don’t think we should relax too soon. I don’t think we should forget about what happened.”
Staff writers Vincent T. Davis and Taylor Pettaway contributed to this report. Chuck Blount is a food writer and columnist covering all things grilled and smoked in the San Antonio area. Find his Chuck's Food Shack columns on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.comTo read more from Chuck, become a subscriber. cblount@express-news.net | Twitter: @chuck_blount | Instagram: @bbqdiver
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San Antonians toasted all day long at reopened Texas bars Friday after 2-month coronavirus shutdown - San Antonio Express-News
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