With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Several LA Restaurants And Bars Temporarily Close Due To COVID Concerns
(
Louis Hansel
/
Unsplash
)
A pandemic-era phrase is coming back for the holidays: “Closed out of an abundance of caution.”
At least 10 restaurants and bars around Los Angeles County are shuttering temporarily or scaling back operations.
The changes come amidst a “staggeringly fast rise” in cases, noted by L.A. County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer who presented COVID rates on Wednesday. The county reported more than 6,000 new cases, doubling its daily totals overnight.
Some are taking action because of the county’s surge of COVID-19 cases, while others are closing because of employees who tested positive. So far, some businesses plan to reopen in time for New Years Eve, one of the busiest nights of the year for food and drink service.
Support for LAist comes from
Heading out for the holidays? Grab a booster shot and read up on what spots are doing to stay safe.
From Temporarily Closed To ‘Limited’ Options
- Precinct, a gay bar in downtown L.A., says its closed to get staff PCR tests “to keep our community, family, and team safe this holiday season.” The bar expects to reopen on Friday, Dec. 24, according to its website.
- Zebulon, a café and music venue in Atwater Village, is closed until Monday, Dec. 27. The choice was made “with the safety of our staff, artists, and patrons in mind,” according to its website.
- Walt’s Bar in Eagle Rock chose to “play it safe” by closing, the bar wrote on Instagram. The bar hasn’t announced yet when it will reopen.
- Stache, an LBGTQ+ bar and restaurant in West Hollywood, says it’s closed “out of an abundance of caution due to the recent increase in COVID-19 cases across the country.” Stache plans to reopen on Wednesday, Dec. 29.
- Lolo Wine Bar in East Hollywood’s Thai Town is closed until Dec. 27, though it will continue to sell wines online.
- Kismet in Los Feliz says it’s closing due to “an employee testing positive.” The restaurant plans to reopen on Sunday, Dec. 26.
- The Gold Line, a bar in Highland Park, says it’s closed due to positive test results “amongst some staff.” The bar hasn’t shared when they’ll reopen.
- Tsubaki, an Echo Park restaurant, is also closed after a staff member tested positive. “We’re hoping to reopen as soon as we have a better handle on this current wave,” the restaurant wrote on Instagram.
- The Roguelike Tavern in Burbank is taking a different approach. The restaurant and game house says it suspended karaoke “in light of the current surge.”
- Gjelina, a restaurant near Venice Beach, says it's operating with a “limited team” because of employees testing positive. The location has a 28-case active outbreak, according to L.A. Public Health.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist