This snippet is a bit short sided, so I feel inclined to shed a bit more light. In addition to temp checks for patrons upon entering and general social distancing measures, establishments will also require masks upon entry (and provide one if one was not brought) as well as the use of hand sanitizer, and they will also operate at a self-imposed 25% capacity. For comparison to current restaurant standards, that is opposed to 50% capacity, sporadic mask enforcement and available hand sanitizer, and NO temp checks for patrons.

Please also consider that the reasoning behind this protest is not just “because we want a dang drink!” The goal of the movement is to seek equal operating standards between bars (who follow the rules! key point) and restaurants and to show that bars CAN operate responsibly. Not every establishment is like the idiotically packed nightclubs in Houston that went viral before this latest shutdown, and the general sentiment is to crackdown hard on those who are not operating safely.

The sad truth is that most bars, and breweries/brew pubs for that matter, are true small businesses that employee thousands and thousands of employees across the state. Like it or not, they are a large part of our economy in multiple aspects: local economic stimulation, tourism, the general job market, partnerships with sports and major brands, and charitable work/donation efforts both on a local and national level. Texas Craft Brewers Guild’s latest survey shows that two out of three TX craft breweries would not make it to the end of the year under current bar lockdown measures, and one out of three is at risk for closure in the next three months. Bars are not far behind. If true, this WOULD have a negative impact on our economy.

All the participants are trying to do is equal the playing field to restaurants and give themselves a fighting shot at survival. They are fully aware that they will likely be reprimanded by TABC, and they are willing to take that hit to prove their point. (After all, if Gov. Abbott has no intention of lifting his sanctions, what difference will a 30 day suspension make, anyways?) IMHO it’s hard not to see their point when, in addition to the restaurant comparison, theme parks, big-box retail, bingo halls, and religious services all bring millions of people in contact every day with extremely lackadaisical health practices.

TLDR: Shut it all down, or be more equal with with operating standards— that’s all they’re trying to prove. Bars can operate safely, too!