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Chicago bars won’t be able to serve customers alcohol indoors starting Friday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration announces

Chicago bars that don’t sell food will no longer be allowed to serve alcohol indoors starting this Friday as part of a new effort to curb the spread of the coronavirus, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Monday.

The city also will limit all indoor fitness classes to a maximum of 10 people and ban personal services requiring the removal of masks, such as shaves and facials, her administration announced.

The news was delivered abruptly Monday morning, in a news release the administration sent out just minutes after Lightfoot stopped speaking at an unrelated news conference.

But it wasn’t entirely unexpected either. Lightfoot was slow to reopen bars in Chicago, saying she was concerned about people losing their inhibitions and behaving irresponsibly under the influence.

And in recent weeks, Lightfoot has warned that she would not hesitate to roll back some restrictions if there is a spike in cases. Her administration has been warning about an uptick in COVID-19 cases among young residents as people flock to bars.

Under Lightfoot’s new rules, the number of individuals who can be at a table in bars and restaurants also will be reduced to six, city officials said. Since June 26, when Chicago advanced to phase four of its reopening plan, restaurants have been restricted to 25% capacity, with a maximum of 50 people per room or floor, with tables at least 6 feet apart and with 10 or fewer people per table.

It’s unclear, however, the number of businesses that will be affected by Lightfoot’s announcement.

Of the 300-400 bars operating without a food license in Chicago, most aren’t open right now, especially the ones that don’t have outdoor seating, said Pat Doerr, managing director of the Hospitality Business Association of Chicago.

The biggest blow to them is the smaller group numbers allowed because this means fewer employee positions. It’ll also be harder for bars to operate when there’s unpredictable weather because they won’t be able to bring patrons inside.

“This is arbitrary but probably not a deathblow,” Doerr said. “Even before 2020, people in Chicago wanted to be outside as much as possible in the summer, and that trend has certainly continued this year.”

In a conference call with reporters, Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said the city’s at about 233 new cases a day and the recent uptick in numbers is a problem city officials want to address.

“The bottom line is, I’m concerned right now,” she said.

Arwady said the next potential milestone for alarming cases is about 400 new infections per day, which would be roughly equivalent with the measure officials are using to order people to quarantine in Chicago when they’re coming from states with large numbers.

But, she said, no individual number will automatically lead to restrictions.

Officials said the city is concerned about “bubble trouble,” referring to people’s close friends and extended family. During the more restrictive phases of the quarantine, they said, people had a more limited “bubble.” But as society gradually reopens, they’re expanding it and putting themselves at greater risk.

“Most cases are able to name someone that they had close contact with who had COVID, whether that’s a household contact or whether that’s a friend,” Arwady said.

Still, the announcement generated some pushback from bar owners and lobbyists, who said it would hurt small businesses. Lightfoot’s deputy mayor for economic development, Samir Mayekar, however, said Chicago is “the largest open city in America” despite the moves.

Art Johnston, owner of Sidetrack, a Boystown bar, said he was “unhappy” by the city’s decision and wished there would not be a rollback. Nevertheless, Johnston acknowledged that the city did say it was a possibility if numbers increased.

“The invulnerability people of a certain age seem to feel is clearly a factor. It’s upsetting, but if it’s what we have to do we will,” Johnston said.

“Bar owners are Chicago citizens, No. 1, and we’ll do what we have to to beat back these numbers. It will be difficult on bar owners and our employees, as are so many parts of this pandemic,” Johnston said.

The rollback means the bar won’t be profitable now, since it will depend on outdoor space only. But Johnston said he is confident it won’t threaten business ultimately.

Asked if he would be forced to furlough employees as a result of the rollback, he said, “It’s a difficult question we’re beginning to confront right now. We’re coming to a time of hard decisions.”

Johnston also said he doesn’t understand why the rule applies only to bars without food. He said he’s had “almost zero issues with customers not complying.”

“I think the rule should be the same for bars and restaurants,” he said. “Frankly, I don’t understand the slice and dice. It seems a bit arbitrary in parts, but it is what it is, and we’re going to move forward and do what we can.

“The people running our city and state are doing what they think is best,” Johnston said. “I’m glad we have grown-ups in charge.”

Mike Miller, owner of Delilah’s, a rock ‘n’ roll tavern in Lincoln Park famous for its deep whiskey and bourbon list, said he had decided not to open the bar at all — even after bars were allowed — because of safety concerns and “an abundance of caution.” He expressed frustration regarding people’s lack of personal and civic responsibility and said he’s seen many people walking around in public spaces without masks.

“We didn’t want to ride the roller coaster of opening and closing,” Miller said regarding his decision to stay closed. “I just wish everyone would wear a mask so we can get back to our lives.”

The owner of a Rogers Park bar said he’s pleased with the mayor’s decision.

“I’m totally behind it,” said Erik Archambeault, owner of Rogers Park Social, which does not serve food. “I think it’s foolish to open up too early until we get everything under control.”

The neighborhood bar and lounge has been doing cocktails to-go from its window and applied for a sidewalk grant but did not open indoor service during phase four. He said his restaurateur friends feel similarly wary about opening up indoor service and, while concerned about their bottom line, are moving slowly.

“For the most part, business owners, restaurant owners and bar owners are doing their best as far as the requirements of masks and social distancing inside and outside, but I think the public sometimes — especially after a couple cocktails and food — gets a little loose and maybe forgets to put a mask on,” Archambeault said. “It’s a challenge, and that’s definitely a difficult thing (for business owners).

“We all know Chicago is a city that likes to drink,” he said. “If you drive around on a Thursday or Friday after work, it’s crazy. I think she’s doing the right thing and pulling back to slow down so we don’t have a situation like Florida or Texas.”

The new rules mean that jazz clubs that don’t serve food — such as the Jazz Showcase, Green Mill and Constellation — may not serve liquor indoors as of 12:01 a.m. Friday, according to the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events. Music venues that do serve food, such as Andy’s Jazz Club, may continue to serve alcohol.

Chicago’s jazz club owners had varied responses to the news.

The Green Mill, in Uptown, will close its doors after Thursday night’s performances.

“It’s just not worth it” to stay open, club owner Dave Jemilo said. “The cover charge rarely covers the band (fees). But even if it does, how do you pay everyone else?

“I don’t even think we were breaking even yet, but we were getting there. And breaking even means employees get to work and make money. The joint itself doesn’t make any money, but there’s musicians getting paid. That’s better than everyone not working at all and the bar not making any money besides.

“We were enforcing the rules and all of that,” Jemilo added, referring to social distancing, masks and temperature checks, among other things. “If people in other areas of the city — like Wrigleyville and others — if they’re not doing it right, why don’t they just get shut down?

“I’m thinking of my draft beer going bad. How long does it last before I have to dump it?”

The Jazz Showcase, in the Loop, will keep the music playing.

“I’m going to open up anyway, even if I can’t serve liquor,” said owner Wayne Segal. “I’ll be creative with a juice bar or something. I’m going to keep it going. I believe people will come and support us, because we need it more desperately than ever.”

Jemilo hopes eventually to be able to have seating and alcohol service outdoors at the Green Mill, but he expects the process of getting permission to do that will take time.

Constellation, in Lakeview, will go ahead with its first scheduled show on July 31, but without bar or audience.

“I had already been thinking about not opening the bar,” said Constellation owner Mike Reed. “I want people to feel comfortable first and foremost.”

So the July 31 show featuring Chicago bassist-bandleader Tatsu Aoki’s Miyumi Project will be livestreamed only, without listeners in the house. Future shows may have audiences.

The timing of the city’s new policy on serving alcohol indoorscoincides with the long-anticipated start of Major League Baseball on Friday.

Although Wrigleyville’s sports bars and restaurants have been busy in recent weeks, most of them would not have to close under the new restrictions because they serve food. With the Chicago Cubs’ home opener on Friday at Wrigley Field, the neighborhood is expected to be busy.

Sheffield’s Beer Garden, a smokehouse and bar in Wrigleyville, is among the bars not affected by the bar closure since it serves food. The restaurant and bar has been reservations-only since it reopened, with a two-hour limit to each reservation, and it will have a few TVs outside.

“I believe it will be busier than we normally will be because of the game,” said Juan Zapata, a manager. “People want to be closer to Wrigleyville.”

gpratt@chicagotribune.com

jbnoel@chicagotribune.com

gwong@chicagotribune.com

hreich@chicagotribune.com