Bars and restaurants are expected to open in my portion of Michigan on Monday. They were previously – since mid March – only open for pick up/carry out/delivery/curbside service (no dine-in).

Now that they’re opening back up, it’s definitely NOT going to look like “business as usual!” Customers should expect to see a good many changes. Here’s an example of the changes Original Gravity in Milan, MI will be making when they open their doors:

No reservations.
No standing room.
VERY limited seating indoors.
No bar seating.
LOTS of outdoor seating, with even more coming soon!
Do not rearrange tables
Masks are required indoors, unless you are seated at a table.
Please practice social distancing everywhere on the property.
No samples or flights.
We are serving (for a short time) in compostable drinkware. So feel free to purchase an OG pint to drink your beer from or bring your favorite stein from home to pour your beer into!
Please view our food menu online at www.ogbrewing.com

Please be patient and courteous to everyone. Don’t be an idiot. Have FUN!

Sidetrack Bar & Grill in Ypsilanti said they’re not quite ready to open on Monday (they are predicting Wednesday).

Aubree’s Depot Town is asking all customers to use hand sanitizer upon entering, space themselves between customers and not come in if not feeling well. Employees will be temperature screened, sent home if not feeling well, wearing protective equipment, etc. Their e-mail I received did not say anything about bar seating, but I’m guessing that’s gonna be a big no for a while…

If we wind up going to Aubree’s – or any other local bars – we’re waiting until after a couple of weeks to do so. This is in case there is any virus spike, also to see how it’s going, etc.

We have made plans to visit the production facility of Short’s Brewing in Elk Rapids next weekend. They have an outdoor “bier garden” area, and we plan to meet with one of Mike’s cousins for a couple of beers. The next day, we plan to pick up some growlers from a Greenville, MI brewery and enjoy those on our camp site – along with one of Mike’s other cousins. We’re trying to work in seeing family while we are on vacation! While exercising social distance – and doing it outdoors.

We did a practice run of this last night when a friend came to visit. The friend rode his bike to our house, arranged for beer to be delivered to our house, and he was not allowed to come inside our house. I had hand sanitizer available if he needed to take a whiz!

It was a lovely night to sit ouside!