If you are in Southern California and plan to have a drink or two in one of the local bars, make sure you bring not only an ID to verify your age, but also proof that you are vaccinated against COVID-19. A growing number of bars and restaurants in the area now require people to show proof of vaccination before they can enter. Patrons can also show a negative test result from within 72 hours of arrival.
Reportedly, L.A. Taco, The Short Stop, Footsie’s, Blind Barber, Bar Henry, The Lash, Melody Lounge, and Gold Diggers Bar are among the more than a dozen bars requiring proof of vaccination.
An updated policy from one of the establishments posted on social media reads:
“For the continued safety of our staff and guests, we will be requiring everyone entering Little Joy Cocktails to present proof of vaccination or a negative Covid test within the last 72 hours.
Acceptable forms of proof are a physical vaccination card, a photo of your card or test results, or your digital card via the Apple wallet.
We care deeply about our staff, our guests and our community, and want to make sure everyone stays safe — both in and outside of our doors.
Let’s all look out for each other, have a little bit of patience, and an abundance of kindness. (And a few beers because we all deserve it!)”
Other posts have a similar message. Owners argue that due to the surge of COVID-19 cases in the area, “safety” is paramount.
Reportedly, some businesses are going further than just requiring proof of vaccination. The EchoPlex will require everyone to wear a mask, which is in line with L.A. County guidelines. In addition to that, staff will temporarily stop accepting cash, and patrons are allowed to bring only small plastic, vinyl, or see-through bags.
Lance Barresi, the owner of the Permanent Records Roadhouse, said that even though a decision to require proof of vaccination was “a difficult one to make,” he made it out of “solidarity with other local laws,” and for the “protection of staff and patrons.” Barresi said he’s willing to turn customers away if they can’t show proof that they’re vaccinated.
Many patrons, apparently, also supported the move. ABC 7 reports that some of the bar-goers cheered at the news and argued that while people have the right not to get vaccinated, there’s a need for vaccinated and unvaccinated people to remain separate “to curb the spread of the virus.”
“I’m all for it,” said patron Jeremy S. “I think, yeah […] everyone’s got their right to do whatever. They don’t want to get vaccinated, they probably shouldn’t be coming out because they’re more likely to spread the disease than people who are.” “I’m not going to tell them how to live their life, but if they don’t want to get vaccinated then they don’t have to come here,” said another Los Angeles resident.
Other potential customers were not as excited. “Make sure to install TVs in every corner of the bar to ensure your new patrons stay brainwashed,” one user on Instagram reportedly commented after Footsie’s announcement (the comment section is now closed). “Congratulations on imposing the will of big pharma and our oh-so trustworthy government,” another user said.
Similar developments are happening elsewhere in the Golden State. Currently, a group of more than 500 San Francisco bar owners is considering whether to require vaccination cards for entry at their bars across the city. San Francisco Bar Owner Alliance’s head, Ben Bleiman, believes that the government has been “so nice” to people who chose not to get vaccinated. “And I think that needs to stop,” Bleiman said, adding, “We need to start playing hardball with them, they’re a bunch of a**holes, and you can quote me on that.” The bar group leader also added that these people are “selfish, and ignorant, and putting us all in jeopardy.”
Although the alliance has not come up with a formal decision yet, some of its members are already starting to take part: Vesuvio Cafe in North Beach announced Tuesday that it would require proof of vaccination before entry.
“We just started it because it’s clear that there’s just a segment of the population that is not vaccinated,” said the owner. “And really until this settles down, I think it’s definitely safer for our staff and our clientele if we limit the indoors to people who have proof of vaccination.”
The Golden Gate Restaurant Association, which has 506 members, said while it supports the actions of the bar alliance, the reality of checking vaccination status may be difficult to execute. The organization cited such challenges as lack of staff training to verify patron’s vax cards, inadequate number of entrances and exits in the establishments, and “logistics,” since the state’s electronic “vaccine verification” system “appears to not fully work.”
There are bar owners who don’t plan to revise their policy, at least not yet. Speaking with L.A. TACO, Jimmy Han, owner of Rosemallows Bar in Long Beach and Frank ’n Hanks in Koreatown, admitted he’s not ready to start requiring his customers to present proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test. “It doesn’t feel like we’ve gotten to that point,” he said.
Meanwhile, L.A. County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis signaled that stricter restrictions, including lockdowns, could be implemented if COVID-19 cases continue to rise. The official voiced no concern about the devastating effect the lockdowns had on the economy, and the restaurant business in particular, when nearly a third of California’s restaurants have permanently closed, and two-thirds of workers at least temporarily lost their jobs since Governor Gavin Newsom imposed the nation’s first statewide lockdown.
