Los Angeles bars will be allowed to reopen for the first time since Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a shutdown on June 28, 2020.

As restrictions lessened over the months, bars that served food were allowed to do so outdoors, but alcohol-only bars remained shut down.

With L.A. County moving into the ‘orange‘ reopening tier and regulations taking effect Monday, April 5, Los Angeles bars can apply for the city’s “Al Fresco” program and begin the reopening process.

The Al Fresco program allowed restaurants to forgo outside permits that were usually necessary to setup dining areas on sidewalks, streets or parking lots. Now bars will be allowed to operate under the same program, pending their approval from the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

“Bars will be able to open outdoors, not indoors,” Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said, Wednesday. “Bars in the city of Los Angeles will eligible for our very successful L.A. Al Fresco program.”

As was the case with restaurants, face masks will still be required when not eating or drinking in these bars and there will be no counter service. Live entertainment will also not be allowed at bars.

Like restaurants, tables will be set up 8-feet apart with no more than six people per table.

There will also be a 10 p.m. curfew for L.A. bars, just as there is for wineries and breweries.

 

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