Bars introduce cheap eats to comply with coronavirus 'meal' restrictions

Many Pennsylvania bars, pubs, taverns and breweries introduced a few new menu items this week, or put deep discounts on existing offerings. French fries, popcorn, potato chips and other simple fare are being offered as a way to adapt to a new state rule that prohibits on-premises alcohol consumption — unless the drink is accompanied by a meal.

“I got a little creative. I came out with some new products from my food purveyor, and the people seem to love what I picked,” said Renee Quinn, co-owner of the SchoolHouse Tavern in Claridge.

In addition to usual menu items, she’s offering popcorn for a nickel, or fries for a buck.

Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday introduced new restrictions on bars and restaurants in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Establishments must limit indoor dining to 25% of their capacity, and establishments that don’t serve food must close.

Owners of several bars say they don’t understand why customers can’t sit down and have a drink but can sit down for a drink and a meal.

“If that’s what I have to do, that’s what I have to do, but I don’t understand it,” Quinn said. “I don’t understand why you’ve got Kennywood wide open, why you’ve got casinos wide open.”

At Mogie’s Irish Pub in Lower Burrell, the bar stools are gone, the tables spread out, and signs advise that all drink orders must be accompanied by food.

If customers don’t know about the new state rules affecting bars, they quickly find out upon walking inside.

“Some people stand there and read the signs, and then their chins drop in shock,” owner David Magill said.

He’s opposed to the restrictions, which he believes will mean the end of many restaurants and bars.

“It’s a loser, 25% occupancy is a loser. We’ll all go out of business if (Wolf) keeps this until the end of the year,” he said. His pub sells more food than alcohol, but he says alcoholic beverages have a much higher profit margin than food.

In addition to his usual menu, Magill is offering discounts on fries and pizza slices.

‘Snack’ vs. ‘meal’

It’s unclear whether the cheap snacks being offered by some bars are enough to meet the standards set by the state. The restriction says alcohol for on-premises consumption can be served only with a meal. The Pennsylvania Liquor Code is a bit vague on what a meal is, but it does provide several examples of what it is not.

A meal must be “sufficient to constitute breakfast, lunch or dinner; it shall not mean a snack, such as pretzels, popcorn, chips or similar food,” according to the code.

Sobel’s Obscure Brewery is doing impromptu meals at its pop-up tap garden in Jeannette with the help of food trucks and local restaurants as a way to meet the new requirements, said owner Jackie Sobel.

“We wanted to just find a way to stay open,” she said.

Patrons can order food from a truck on-site or local restaurant and pay the brewery for the meal along with their drink on the same tab. Then, Sobel will hand over the amount for the meal to either the truck or restaurant.

“It could be a win-win for both of us and the customers,” she said.

There are other pre-made food options on-site available for purchase, including salads and sandwiches. The garden, which opened this summer, is meeting all of the other requirements handed down by state officials.

“We are being sure to follow all of the guidelines,” she said. “We’re doing everything that we can to make sure that we are being responsible here.”

The state implemented the new guidelines after several weeks of rapidly climbing coronavirus rates. It has not set an end date.