ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) decision to allow Florida bars to reopen at 50% capacity Monday is not expected to have an impact on Anna Maria Island.
That’s because five of the Island’s six stand-alone bars are already open and have been for quite some time.
On Sept. 10, DBPR Secretary Halsey Beshears issued Executive Order 2020-10, which repeals the bar restrictions he set forth in EO 2020-09 on June 26.
No longer in effect, Beshears’ June 26 order said, “All vendors licensed to sell alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises who derive more than 50% of gross revenue from such sales shall suspend sales for consumption on premises. Vendors also licensed as public food service establishments or restaurants may continue to operate for on-premise consumption of food and beverages at tables so long as these vendors derive 50% or less of gross revenue from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.”
Beshears issued his June order after the number of individuals testing positive for COVID-19 increased significantly, especially among younger individuals.
“Some of these cases involving younger individuals are suspected to have originated from visits to bars, pubs or nightclubs,” his order said.
On July 1, Beshears amended EO 2020-09 and allowed bars with food licenses to resume the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption.
Beshears’ actions were preceded by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ March 17 executive order that prohibited bars from selling alcohol for on-site consumption. On June 5, DeSantis allowed bars to reopen at 50% capacity, but that allowance ended with his blessing when Beshears issued his own executive order in June.
Island bar openings
On July 16, Anchor Inn owners Darla and Bobby Tingler figured out a way to open their Holmes Beach bar at 50% capacity under their existing liquor license.
“With our 4COP license we have a pre-packed food license. That means we can serve any type of pre-packaged food. This was an existing part of our license that we weren’t aware of until this morning. We didn’t have to go get a food license,” Darla Tingler said that night.
Tommy Knockers in Bradenton Beach opened in a similar fashion later that day, followed later by the Drift In and the Sports Lounge in Bradenton Beach and Dcoy Ducks in Holmes Beach.
The Tinglers later obtained a DBPR-issued food license that fully secured their ability to operate at 50% capacity.
On Aug. 4, DBPR shut down the Drift In for not having a food license – an enforcement action taken in response to a complaint lodged by an unknown person.
On Aug. 14, the Drift In reopened for the third time since the pandemic began, this time with a DBPR-issued food license.
When contacted Sunday and asked about Beshears’ latest order, Darla Tingler said, “We’re thankful the other bars that played the loophole are now legal and won’t be shut down. But everyone still had to play by the rules and capacity limits.”
Drift In manager Doreen Flynn felt the same and said, “I’m waiting for him to say restaurants can be increased to 75% so I can put 12 more barstools back in our bar.”
At 50% capacity, The Drift In is operating with 28 indoor seats and a doorman who monitors capacity and ensures masks are worn when walking around or dancing inside the establishment.
Bartender Courtney McGough said Beshears’ latest order has no impact on the Sports Lounge: “We’ve been open. We enforced strict rules and followed them during every shift. We always stuck to 50% capacity, which for us is 30 people. We did not apply for a hospitality/restaurant license.”
Tommy Knockers bartender Courtney Call said, “We have been open with ready to eat foods and have been doing our best to keep to rules. We’re just hoping everything gets back to normal soon.”
Dcoy Ducks general manager Richie Brown did not respond to The Sun’s request for comment.
According to its website, The Doctor’s Office in Holmes Beach remains closed but is operating a “pop-up clinic” with a limited classic cocktail menu at its nearby sister establishment, Eat Here.
