PUBS ADAPTING,
Dancing and pool are out, but generous use of Plexiglas and expanded patios keep patrons apart
In Davie Village, reopening during a pandemic now includes sitting down to have fun.
In the commercial centre of Metro Vancouver’s gay village, some venues that primarily serve liquor in a pub or lounge-like setting are welcoming back customers.
At Pumpjack Pub, adding Plexiglas dividers that separate individuals or groups are among the changes that have allowed the pub to reopen, said co-owner Vince Marino.
“We have fixed Plexiglas, we have hanging Plexiglas, we have mobile Plexiglas on wheels,” he said.
You can’t dance or play pool — the table has been removed. You can play pinball, but the machines are separated by plastic hanging from the ceiling.
Pumpjack at 1167 Davie reopened May 21. Marino also co-owns The Junction across the street at 1138 Davie, which reopened May 28. He estimated the two pubs have spent about $20,000 on Plexiglas dividers.
“We’ve been pretty happy with our community coming back,” he said. “We do have a fairly loyal base.”
In a sense, Marino said, he has been lucky. Before COVID-19, the two establishments operated as nightclubs, with dancing at night. During the day, they were community pubs, and that has returned in a reduced way.
Marino said other COVID19 changes include reducing overall capacity by 50 per cent.
At the Pumpjack, that means dropping from 244 to 122 inside, and on the patio, from 27 to 12. At The Junction, part of the capacity of 160 inside can be transferred to an expanded patio, which, under the city’s new rules, is expanding into the remaining parking spots and increasing from 30.
Marino is getting ready to adapt Pumpjack and The Junction to Phase 3 of the province’s reopening plan as early as this week.
“I think what Dr. Bonnie Henry indicates is that we can take a look at how we can safely increase greater than 50 per cent while maintaining social distancing — but definitely not dancing,” he said.
Marino is looking at more entertainment, including reintroducing drag shows. On Monday, the first Trivia Night was a success.
“You know, our community is rather resilient. They have all sorts of ways to have fun,” he said. “They’ve been very accepting and understanding. They are keen to get back to dancing — there’s no doubt about that.”
Down the street from Pumpjack and The Junction is Celebrities Nightclub. It has not reopened.
Co-owner Alvaro Prol said he is looking at changing
Celebrities from a nightclub where one of the primary activities was dancing to a cultural venue where people can sit in groups, similar to a lounge.
“We’re trying to figure out what things we can do,” said Prol, who is also co-founder of Vancouver-based Blueprint Events. “We’re definitely looking to bring drag shows in during weekends — things that are seated that are fun to do.”
Prol said the club had a capacity of 400 before the physical distancing requirements of COVID-19.
“If we go to 50 per cent capacity, we would be in trouble to survive,” he said. “We’re looking to see what Phase 3 looks like and see what we can do within those new regulations. It’s scary the thought of what’s ahead of us. We hope that there’s some quick assistance to get us back open, at least at some capacity.”