Just when you think you can live with the NEW NORMAL for our biker bars and restaurants, things can change faster than you can blink. We have all watched our local biker restaurant bars like Dirty Dogs Roadhouse and others have 2 weeks of profitable business, thereby giving them the revenue to restock depleted supplies and beverages. These establishments have revamped their indoor dining, purchased more tables and chairs to amplify the number of customers they can serve. All their staff are wearing masks, and on most tables you will find bottles of hand sanitizer in the event you need to clean your hands or re-sanitize.
“We have spent more money than we had adhering to the requirements of state and city government to open a few weeks ago and are prepared to seek whatever legal remedies are available to remain open.”
Anonymous bar owner
On Tuesday, June 30th, Gov. Jared Polis again ordered bars and nightclubs to close amid rising coronavirus cases. It appears that Colorado has taken a step back in its reopening. COVID-19 infections have increased for two straight weeks and in particular, the rise is growing among younger Coloradans. Public health officials have attributed that increase, in part, to parties, protests and travel, while the governor also credited the uptick to bars and clubs — where it can be difficult to practice social distancing.
“Whether you personally go to bars or not, just understand that they are important for many people in our state… but there is not a way that we have found for patrons to be a reasonably a safe distance apart.”
The question is what does this mean for our local biker restaurants and bars? I spoke with 2 bar owners in Aurora and Golden who said that if they have to shut down completely again, they possibly will not survive another 30-60 day shutdown. One owner who asked to remain anonymous stated, “we have spent more money than we had adhering to the requirements of state and city government to open a few weeks ago and are prepared to seek whatever legal remedies are available to remain open.” They also stated that they cannot afford a possible lawsuit against the state, but if it is the only way to survive, that they will not go under without a fight.
Colorado Rider News will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available.
