What to expect at DC restaurants and bars during January

[Anonymous]

I have a bunch of clients coming to town next week for a meeting. They are all planning to go to dinner and bars afterwards.

What should they expect in restaurants and bars, ie is the mask mandate being enforced?

[Anonymous]

You should expect a covid infection.

[Anonymous]

DC is the hotspot right now. Why on earth would you host this?

[Anonymous]

Who said I’m hosting? Who said I’m going?

I’m neither going to the meeting nor to the post meeting activities.

Looking forward to answers to my questions.

[Anonymous]

They need to have their vaccine cards handy. Also it’s foolish to go out right now. Make them aware of possible last minute changes too, many restaurants are having to temporarily close due to exposures or staff positive for covid. Some are only offering carry out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They need to have their vaccine cards handy. Also it’s foolish to go out right now. Make them aware of possible last minute changes too, many restaurants are having to temporarily close due to exposures or staff positive for covid. Some are only offering carry out.

Thank you! Yes, this is also what I expect, but knowing the crowd that’s coming to town they will also go to the bars. Thoughts?

[Anonymous]

I would make sure they understand the risks of going unmasked in a public indoor space right now.

I would not make reservations. Restaurants are closing to in-person every day. Instead, make a list of places that are the right location and cuisine/price, and the day before, call directly to confirm they will be open, find out if there are changes to service or hours, and request a table.

Places might only allow seating in a covered, heated patio, for instance. Or they may close at 9 instead of midnight.

Expect limited menus and slow service due to staffing shortages.

Make sure they have vaccine cards. I would also provide them with rapid tests and ask that they each take one that day.

Provide a list of good quality masks (kn94s or, at a minimum, surgical masks) and make sure they have multiple. Recommend they where them upon entering and any time they get up from their table. The restaurant will likely have a rule for this but it can be hard to enforce— hearing it from the organization will help them prepare to do this.

They need to understand that things have changed substantially regarding Covid in just the last two weeks in DC. This isn’t paranoia. There are literally just so many people with Covid in DC that restaurants are struggling to stay open and protect their staff, much less customers, from illness. If at all possible, I recommend getting a catered meal at the meeting venue or a private room at their hotel.

[Anonymous]

You can go somewhere outdoors with heating. The Four Seasons, for example, or Iron Gate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would make sure they understand the risks of going unmasked in a public indoor space right now.

I would not make reservations. Restaurants are closing to in-person every day. Instead, make a list of places that are the right location and cuisine/price, and the day before, call directly to confirm they will be open, find out if there are changes to service or hours, and request a table.

Places might only allow seating in a covered, heated patio, for instance. Or they may close at 9 instead of midnight.

Expect limited menus and slow service due to staffing shortages.

Make sure they have vaccine cards. I would also provide them with rapid tests and ask that they each take one that day.

Provide a list of good quality masks (kn94s or, at a minimum, surgical masks) and make sure they have multiple. Recommend they where them upon entering and any time they get up from their table. The restaurant will likely have a rule for this but it can be hard to enforce— hearing it from the organization will help them prepare to do this.

They need to understand that things have changed substantially regarding Covid in just the last two weeks in DC. This isn’t paranoia. There are literally just so many people with Covid in DC that restaurants are struggling to stay open and protect their staff, much less customers, from illness. If at all possible, I recommend getting a catered meal at the meeting venue or a private room at their hotel.

Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I recommend you not participate in helping them infect themselves and others with Covid. Tell them that the numbers are incredibly high and that you recommend they do not go out anywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recommend you not participate in helping them infect themselves and others with Covid. Tell them that the numbers are incredibly high and that you recommend they do not go out anywhere.

OP here. Personally, I don’t approve of the meeting happening, which is why I’m not attending the meeting.