Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
It’s belly up to barbs during saloon shutdown
Some patrons slam Sisolak for bar closings
Last call is a seldom-heard phrase in Las Vegas, and it wasn’t popular among patrons as the minutes ticked down toward Friday’s deadline for bars to close.
In fact, some bars beat the 11:59 p.m. deadline set by Gov. Steve Sisolak in response to rising COVID-19 case numbers; on Fremont Street, several, including Commonwealth and Gold Spike, shut their doors before 11:30.
Others, including The Griffin at 511 Fremont St., announced their last call four hours earlier than usual. At 11:30 disgruntled moans could be heard from about 30 patrons when bartenders at The Griffin announced last call.
Dave Salcedo, 55, said he has been a regular for years and has come to the bar every weekend since it reopened.
“I’m bummed,” he said, hearing last call. “I love it here.”
Salcedo said he’s most upset that The Griffin is “being punished” for bars that aren’t in compliance. The Griffin requires face masks when entering and approaching the bar. No one is allowed to drink at the bar.
Meri Pruitt, 38, said she has lost 54 pounds in the last year from dancing weekly at bars such as Artifice and The Griffin. She said bars that aren’t in compliance should face punishment, not those adhering to guidelines.
“If they’re not in compliance, they should be forced to close,” she said.
At midnight, expletives directed at the governor could be heard from passersby on Fremont Street, while dozens made their way toward restaurants, which were allowed to stay open and serve alcohol, according to the governor.
Jackson’s Bar & Grill could have continued operating as a restaurant, without access to its bar area and video poker machines, but closed because the majority of its income is derived from gaming.
By 11:10, about 40 people were still scattered between the bar and dining areas. Most seemed in a good mood, although many questioned why neighborhood bars were closing while casinos remained open.
“I came here tonight because I’m always here,” Billie Robertson said as he took a break from the video keno in front of him.
Nonetheless, around 11:20, the staff had to escort a customer out the door. Owner Robin Slipock said the man was a regular.
“He’s just not been kind,” she explained, shaking it off with a smile.
Around 11:45, as Toby Keith’s “I Love This Bar” played on the jukebox, a couple danced to it at one end of the bar, face masks on. They took their seats as that song ended, and Sammy Hagar’s “Mas Tequila” kicked in. At that point, the group next to them downed some shots.
It was about 11:49 when employees Teah Heath and Dawn Smith announced last call. As they finished, the dancing woman could be heard shouting some choice words about the governor.
The team, many who had been there all day to support their bosses, began removing liquor bottles from behind the bar about eight minutes before midnight. And within a few minutes after the clock had struck 12, they’d already begun disconnecting the video poker machines.
It took until nearly 12:30 a.m. for the final customers to exit the building. Staff stuck around a little longer, not knowing when they’d be working together again. Despite that uncertainty, their boss and Robin Slipock’s husband, Brian Slipock, said they were better prepared this time around.
“We did this three months ago,” he said. “So we kind of have a better feeling for it now.”