Bar tab: Watering holes can reopen to a limit of 50.

Bars across Colorado can officially reopen, according to new guidelines released by the state.

While restaurants still will operate at 50% capacity or up to 50 people indoors, bars “where patrons go for the primary purpose of beverage consumption” may open at 25% occupancy or up to 50 people indoors, according to the guidelines.

The change will be crucial for smaller bars, especially, according to Justin Anthony, who coowns several Denver bars.

When Gov. Jared Polis announced in late May that restaurants and other establishments could reopen as long as they served food, some of Anthony’s businesses were able to reopen. But Bellwether stayed closed.

These latest guidelines are “giving little spots like Bellwether the ability to open,” he said. “It’s giving bars a chance to get in the game.”

Bars can also take advantage of outdoor service.

And “extra large venues” ( 7,200 square feet or larger) may hold more than 50 people, and up to 100 drinkers or diners. A state online social distancing calculator is meant to help venues determine their new capacities.

The new rules still require bar patrons to be seated at tables that are spaced at least 6 feet apart.

This weekend, too, diners can take advantage of expanded outdoor dining on Denver streets — so far just portions of Larimer Square and Glenarm Place — that have been temporarily closed to vehicles. Another 85 bars and restaurants have received permits allowing them to expand outdoor dining space.

“You basically have a situation where now we’re going to have more interaction in the neighborhood,” Anthony said. “At least people are starting to get out, and it feels like there’s hope.”