The Oaks Theater welcomed guests Friday after a several month hiatus with cartoons and drinks.
Doors opened for a free classic cartoon celebration at 310 Allegheny River Blvd.
The venue, like many shuttered entertainment facilities and businesses, reopened that day as Allegheny County entered the green phase of the state’s economic reopening plan during the covid-19 pandemic.
Crews were thoroughly cleaning the Oaks Thursday, as well as moving tables and chairs to comply with new safety standards and practices.
“We are operating under 50 percent capacity so our patrons can properly socially distance,” Event Manager JR Shaw said about the changes. “We’ve eliminated assigned seating for events and have gone to general admission so people can spread out throughout the entire theater without worrying about being right next to somebody. We’re eliminating a lot of our tables and chairs in order to make sure there’s room where people are sitting. We’re also implementing new ways that we serve.”
There will be no more hanging around the bar. One side will have a place to order drinks, which will then be served at the other end of the bar to give people more space. Hand sanitizer stations were installed and self-serve areas were removed.
High traffic areas such as the lobby, door knobs and hand rails will be cleaned before, during and after events. Guests are asked to wear a mask while coming in, walking around and leaving the building. Masks can be removed when seated.
Shaw said his team has discussed various safety measures for weeks, and will make any adjustments as needed or allowed by the state.
“We’ve been thinking things through and brainstorming and reading the best guidelines as they’ve been made available,” he said. “There’s been a fair amount of thought that’s been put into this (reopening) because we want to make sure out patrons are safe. We want to make sure we’re safe. We’re doing the best that we can to make things run smoothly as not to interrupt people’s enjoyment of what we’re doing. We’re prioritizing their health and safety so they can keep returning.”
Maximum capacity is about 500 people. However, 200 tickets will be available for shows moving forward until other entertainment safety guidelines are released.
Shaw said officials chose to go with classic cartoons such as Woody Woodpecker, Betty Boop and Popeye on reopening day because people may chose to pop in and out of the Oaks and nearby restaurants that night, and they do not want people to feel obligated to stay long.
The cartoons also pay homage to the history of the one-screen movie place that opened in 1938.
“I’m excited to be able to have events again,” Shaw said. “I love the way these venues build community and become really vital parts of their neighborhoods. I’m also really anxious to make sure we’re doing this safely. That’s really important to me. If people are going to put their tryst in us then I want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to live up to that trust.”
Shaw said he hopes patrons have patience as Oaks staff work to accommodate guests in the new environment.
More information on the Oaks and upcoming events is available at theoakstheater.com.
