It looks like Massachusetts bars that have been closed for more than a year due to pandemic-related restrictions will be able to reopen late next month.
In today's update, Governor Charlie Baker and Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito stated that starting May 29, bars that do not serve food will be able to reopen, as will those beer gardens, breweries, and wineries in the state that also don't offer food--and in addition, customers will no longer need to order food with their drinks at any of these businesses, though patrons will need to be seated while groups will have to be spaced six feet apart--and the 90-minute limit will continue for now. (The maximum table capacity will be increased from six to ten.)
In the update, Polito also stated that starting May 10, venues having a capacity of 5,000 or more will be able to increase their maximum capacity from 12% to 25%, and singing will be allowed indoors as of May 10 as well. (Polito also mentioned that the plan is for dance clubs and nightclubs to be able to reopen as of August 1, or possibly earlier depending on public health data, and capacity of restaurants, bars, and other businesses will increase to 100% by or before August 1.)
Finally, the outdoor mask mandate gets lifted on Friday, April 30, which could have at least some effect on patio dining.
by Marc Hurwitz (Also follow us on Twitter at @hiddenboston)[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]
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