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As of Friday, June 26, Chicago restaurants and bars can officially reopen indoor dining to guests, so long as they limit capacity to 25 percent or 50 people per room (whichever is fewer). Outdoor dining and drinking, which was permitted to begin earlier this month, will still be encouraged. This new allowance is just one part of Chicago's move into Phase 4 of its reopening plan, which begins Friday and also allows museums, zoos, performance venues, movie theaters and summer camps to welcome back guests.
Of course, Chicagoans shouldn't expect all restaurants to automatically fling open their doors. In an effort to protect staff and guests, the city's updated guidelines are exhaustive, and some restaurant owners argue that operating at 25 percent capacity isn't a feasible business model. In a press release on Tuesday, June 23, the Illinois Restaurant Association said that it "will continue to advocate for increases in indoor dining occupancy during Phase [4] with necessary safety measures in place." Still, some Chicago restaurants and bars can't afford to stay shuttered for much longer or they don't have access to outdoor seating; others are giving it a go and hoping for the best.
If you are planning to dine in at your favorite restaurant or bar in the near future, be sure to call ahead—you might need to make a reservation or place your order in advance. There are some important safety guidelines to keep an eye on, too, including the fact that you'll need to wear a mask when you're not seated and limit your party to no more than 10 people. We sifted through the city's official rule book and pulled out the most important bits below, so have a look before you head out. It should go without saying, but don't forget to tip generously and be patient with staff—this is new for everyone.
- Dining rooms are limited to 25 percent capacity, and tables must be spaced 6 feet apart.
- No more than 10 people are allowed to sit together at a table.
- Guests are encouraged to make reservations in advance and utilize cashless payment when possible.
- Diners who arrive early might be asked to wait outside in their car until their table is ready.
- All diners must be seated. Counter/bar seating is allowed only if venues can maintain 6 feet between customers.
- Bars will limit seating to two hours to manage the consumption of alcohol.
- Employees must wear face coverings at all times, and diners will be required to wear theirs when they're not seated.
- Music should be kept at a low volume to ensure employees and guests can converse while maintaining social distance.
- Hand sanitizer and hand-washing facilities should be readily available to all customers and employees.
- Cafeterias, buffets and other self-service food stations can reopen if an employee serves the food while wearing PPE.
- Restaurants reserve the right to deny entrance to anyone who's exhibiting symptoms.
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