Some Yuma bars reopening following end of stay-at-home order
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - You may be wondering why some bars are reopening, some as early as midnight.
Most of Arizona is back in business but most of the state's bars and nightclubs remain closed. In spite of the end of Governor Doug Ducey's stay-at-home order.
Governor Ducey has not released details on when bars and even nightclubs can re-open.
But as we head into the weekend, more bars are choosing to open their doors.
During a press conference of May 4th, Governor Ducey spoke on this matter.
“They may be licensed as a bar but they are essentially a dine-in establishment. We want to work with the industry so that there’s flexibility those places can reopen.”
Then on on May 7, the Arizona Department of Liquor issued a statement, clarifying that businesses that hold permits to sell food are able to reopen if they serve food along with drinks.
The department did not specify what type or how much food is required to meet the threshold to reopen.
Most of the time, the difference between a bar or a restaurant can be made based on the type of liquor license a business holds.
Chris Wheeler is the owner of Prison Hill Brewing Co.
"So if you’re a straight bar and you’re not serving food the ordinance doesn’t include you. So the way people are working around this is to bring in the food truck.”
Restaurants typically hold a series 12 license, while bars operate under a series 6 license.
But as the Prison Hill owner says, those only licensed to sell alcohol are opening again by using a loophole.
"If you’re closed, it’s by choice, so it’s a bar if you’re selling finger foods or snacks technically via the state loophole it’s an opportunity you can list those as a venue as long as you’re serving food you can open,” he said.
Governor Ducey has yet to issue an order that pertains specifically to bars that don’t sell food and that only have a series 6 license.
We are in contact with law enforcement and county officials to see if anything has changed when it comes to bars reopening in Yuma County. Stay with 13 On Your Side for updates.
