Chow

Raising the Bar Serving drinks to thirsty customers is fraught with concerns for bartenders—but customers have a role to play, too. Read what happened during a recent Friday morning at a local greasy spoon.

By Cayla Clark

Cayla Clark

Some bar owners are throwing caution to the wind, letting people pack their locales. Meanwhile, other downtown Bend staples are removing barstools and hiring bouncers dedicated to enforcing guidelines in every way they can. It’s an interesting time for the bar scene, no question about that. Venturing out for a nightcap could be considered brave or brainless, depending on who you ask.

On Friday morning, I ventured out to a downtown bar/breakfast joint for some greasy spoon grub and a little morbid curiosity-inspired observation. The barstools had been removed, the tables were placed 6 feet apart, and all of the employees were fully masked and ready for business. Tables were barren of condiments and place settings, and thoroughly disinfected in between diners.

Would-be customers kept rushing in, despite signage at the front door that clearly read, “Please wait to be seated.” These same patrons crowded the register, bringing their dirty glasses up to the bar and candidly speaking with the chefs through the open-concept kitchen window.

I watched in horror as a young woman leaned directly over a fresh tray of biscuits and laughed wetly.

I realized then that regardless of how effectively a bar is attempting to keep up with protocol, it is up to the bar-goers to do their part. Maintaining social distancing guidelines is difficult enough; throwing alcohol into the mix could be a recipe for disaster if we—as customers—fail to graciously accept that things are not yet “back to normal.”

This is not business as usual, regardless of the weather.

Davidson Small, a bartender at the ever-trendy Stihl Whiskey Bar in downtown Bend, explained how they anticipated that enforcing social distancing would be the most challenging part of reopening.

“We’ll have someone manning the door to ensure that we don’t go over capacity,” he said. “Of course, this will definitely affect business on nights that we would otherwise be at full capacity all night. Coupled with the newly implemented, mandatory 10 pm closing time, profitability will take a nosedive until more restrictions are lifted. We’re prepared for this, and the safety and well-being of our customers is still our number one priority.”

A recent Reddit post by an anonymous local bartender on the first day of reopening described the scene, saying, “Customers for the most part respected our rules and were patient... until right before shift change, around 3:30 pm, when it felt like the town sprung back to life. We have a policy in which you must be assigned to a table to be able to order beers and food, as this helps maintain distance between parties. There were enough people coming in later that some began to slip through the host checkpoint and crowd the bar. People demanded beers to take outside and were furious when we explained they took the wrong steps to receive service and our commitment to safety.”

Small touched on what additional precautions Stihl was taking—and why the bar delayed reopening past May 15, the governor’s allowed reopening date. The bar was set to open June 1.

“One major precaution we took was waiting to open in hopes of avoiding the ‘cabin fever’ crowd, while simultaneously having staff meetings to ensure that we’re all on the same page as far as the safety protocols and operations that will be in place upon reopening. We’re all going to be wearing masks, we’ll be limiting capacity and seating to comply with state guidelines. There won’t be any bar seating, and we’ll be removing candles and silverware caddies from the tables so people aren’t handling the same objects,” Small said.

“Of course, we’ll also be sanitizing all surfaces after they’ve been touched, and we’ll have extra sanitation for dishes and glassware. Finally, we’re providing a new to-go service for drinks and cocktails. The Oregon Liquor Control Commission is allowing to-go cocktails as long as they have an unbroken seal when they leave the building. We’ll be using stickers and mason jars.” Bar-goers take advantage of nice weather on the River Pig Saloon patio. “One major precaution we took was waiting to open in hopes of avoiding the ‘cabin fever’ crowd, while simultaneously having staff meetings to ensure that we’re all on the same page as far as the safety protocols and operations that will be in place upon reopening.” —Davidson Small

El Sancho Heads West

New location opens in old Longboard Louie’s spot

This actually happened: I was at a stop light, half a Oaxacan cheese taco in my mouth, when the light turned green. There I was, attempting to finish the taco while maneuvering a left turn, to-go box falling, while also shifting into second with my stick shift. I was going to share one of my three mid-afternoon “snack” tacos with my kid when I got home, but she never got one. I snarfed them all in the car—only dribbles of salsa left in my wake.

These are the situations you find yourself in when El Sancho opens a new location and you can’t wait to check it out.

El Sancho, the outfit named Restaurant of the Year in the Source’s Restaurant Guide in 2019, opened El Sancho Taco Shop West on Galveston Avenue earlier this month, and it didn’t take long for social-distancing lines to form down the sidewalk. Expect the same lineup of tacos, bowls and soups, as well as margarita and drink offerings, as the original carts and east side location, but with fewer open days, for now. El Sancho West is closed a couple days a week, and is currently offering to-go and outdoor seating options.

As a proud east sider, I think I can safely say this may mean that far fewer west siders will now venture across the moat to our side of town.

El Sancho Taco Shop West

1254 NW Galveston Ave., Bend Open 11am-9pm Wed, Thu, Sun & 11am-10pm Fri-Sat 541-797-7999 elsanchobend.com

Nicole Vulcan

Dr. Emma Baker Naturopathic Physician

Over 17 years’ experience

Specializing in Women’s Health & Hormone Balance • Hot fl ashes • Low Mood • Allergies • Sleep Problems • Digestive Issues • Stress & Anxiety

541.322.3941

344 NE Marshall Ave, Bend, OR www.dremmabaker.com

Buck the Ordinary! Vote for Diablo! Dine and Enjoy a margarita! Stay home & order in!

Open for Dine in but still doing take out and doordash delivery.

Thank you for the pleasure of serving you!

El Rancho Grande Mexican Restaurant

(in Cascade Village across from the Fountain Plaza)

541.312.2022 • dinewithdiablo.com

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