COVID and Theatre District Restaurants

[artifact11]

Posted: 12/27/21 at 2:44am

If all goes well, I have tickets with a friend for Jersey Boys for the upcoming matinee on the 28th.  I assumed we would grab a late lunch/early dinner afterwards in the neighborhood, but I started questioning if now would be a good time to eat out.  Even assuming restaurants are checking vaccine status, I don’t know how I feel now about eating without masks on.  It has not been a concern of mine until Omicron mania.  Would like to know if people that have seen shows recently have thoughts about this, and know whether restaurants in the area have had less business.

[adotburr]

Posted: 12/27/21 at 5:14am

I won’t be in NYC until January so I can’t comment if they’re checking cards or not. However, there’s a private sector vaccine mandate that starts today for NYC businesses. There’s a chance some businesses and restaurants might not even be open if they do not have enough vaccinated staff. So check if the restaurant is even open before you get there. 

[dramamama611]

Posted: 12/27/21 at 6:32am

Restaurants were EXCELLENT about checking vaccine cards when I was in the city.  

One thing to remember is that while Omicron is easier to catch, its generally much more mild, especially if fully vaxxed.

 

That being said, you have to do what you are comfortable with.

[DrewBill]

Posted: 12/27/21 at 9:53am

I live in midtown NYC. In my experience, restaurants and bars here have been somewhat haphazard in checking vaccine status. While some establishments have indeed been very diligent, others simply wave you in if you appear to have something that vaguely looks like a card or pass. And honestly there are a few not checking at all. (There’s a fine for not checking, but enforcement in NYC is realistically impossible.)

 

Just anecdotally, it seems that quite a few restaurants have had a significant decline in business, especially in the last two weeks or so.  But others seem to be doing fine despite Omicron.

 

Personally, I’m taking a “time out” from dining in restaurants for a bit — I know too many people that have tested positive for COVID lately. But as others have said, you should do whatever you are comfortable with.

[Wick3]

Posted: 12/27/21 at 10:00am

I agree with others to do what you’re comfortable with.

If I were to eat out, I’d pick one of the restaurants that have outdoor dining (some give you your own ‘room’ outdoors with a table for 1-4 people.)

[unclevictor]

Posted: 12/27/21 at 12:26pm

Sardi’s is back open!! 

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 12/27/21 at 10:27pm

I've been to Junior's on 45th and the restaurant on the 8th floor of the Marriott Marquis this week. Both checked vaccine cards and ID. I'm not really comfortable at restaurants either but I felt distanced enough at both of these. 

Also, the weather is fairly mild this week. There are still tables outside in parts of Times Square and over by the Junior's on 50th St. A couple of times we just picked up takeout and sat at one of those tables.