Vaccinated patrons only at Troy’s Berlin
The Berlin, an intimate downtown cocktail lounge that has been closed since the pandemicrelated shutdown began 14 months ago, will require patrons to have proof of full coronavirus vaccination when it reopens on Friday, May 21. It is believed to be the first Capital Region bar or restaurant to screen for vaccination status.
“It’s so small I didn’t want to open it back up until it felt safe to do so,” said owner Matt Baumgartner, who also owns the 3-week-old Troy Beer Garden, located on the ground floor of 2 King St., below The Berlin. Baumgartner reimagined the street-level bar into a plant-bedecked space complete with its own florist after earlier this year selling the Wolff ’s Biergarten brand, which had one of its locations at 2 King St.
Many Troy Beer Garden patrons tell him
they’re fully vaccinated, Baumgartner said, leading him to believe there will be demand for The Berlin’s 46 seats, most on couches and chairs around cocktail tables.
“Maybe it’s just that people who like plants are more willing to get vaccinated,” Baumgartner joked, adding about The Berlin, “The whole fun of that room is that it’s dark and loud and close; it doesn’t lend itself to tables having to be spaced apart.”
Patrons of The Berlin will be required at the door to show proof of full vaccination, completed at least two weeks prior, either in the form of a official vaccination card or the Excelsior Pass, a state-sponsored program that shows scannable digital proof of vaccination via a mobile app.
Baumgartner said he expects some prospective customers will arrive at The Berlin unaware of the rule or unable to provide proof, but he doesn’t foresee problems.
“I’m sure it will happen, but I feel like most people carry their vaccine card or have the pass,” he said. “If they don’t, they can’t come in.”
Baumgartner chose the May 21 reopening date in part based on Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s announcement that bars and restaurants may return to full capacity starting May 19, and that the mandated midnight closing time will be rescinded starting May 17 for outdoor spaces, May 31 for indoor.
On Thursday, the state clarified that Cuomo misspoke when he said last week that dining spots and watering holes requiring proof of vaccination for admission would no longer need to keep tables and bar seats at least 6 feet apart unless separated by a divider.
The same day, the governor’s office posted regulations saying the “required social distance of 6 feet” will remain in effect after capacity limits are abolished on Wednesday. The rule is based on guidance from the state Department of Health.
However, Cuomo, in his broadcast announcement of the changes, said, “For events that can show proof of vaccination or recent negative tests, the 6-foot limit does not need to apply, OK? So it’s 6 feet, but if you say, ‘Look, I’m only going … to allow people in the restaurant who are fully vaccinated or just took a negative test,’ then you can go (closer than) the 6 feet.”
The State Liquor Authority on Thursday said the 6-foot rule has not changed. The statement said, “All licensees are required to follow DOH guidance, which is that patrons or parties of patrons in licensed establishments must maintain the required social distance of 6 feet.”
“We’re going to space things so people feel safe and be as responsible as we can,” Baumgartner said. “If they say it has to be 6 feet, we’ll accommodate.”
Starting May 21, The Berlin will be open 7 p.m. to midnight through the end of this month, until 1 a.m. thereafter, on Friday and Saturday only.
Reservations will be accepted for parties of six or more at 518-444-3276. For food, it will offer the same menu of vegetarian small plates as Troy Beer Garden.