ABOVE: The Iberian Rooster, Punky’s Bar and Grill and Hamburger Mary’s logos, photos via Facebook.
TAMPA BAY | LGBTQ and ally restaurants have begun to reopen after suspending operations in response to COVID-19.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced April 29 that statewide restrictions enacted to slow the spread of the coronavirus would begin to ease May 4. Florida now allows limited dining room and outdoor seating after weeks of restricting service to takeout and delivery.
“I erred on the side of taking measured steps, even baby steps, to start on the road of a brighter day,” DeSantis shared.
Prior to the announcement, St. Petersburg’s Iberian Rooster advised it would reopen for takeout and pickup services April 29. The popular establishment had opted to close March 22, a measure it announced three days before DeSantis’ executive order restricting services.
“When we closed, I promised myself that I wouldn’t reopen unless we had the procedures and technology to make sure that my employees, our customers and our contractors were safe,” owner Russell Andrade shared April 25. “We now have that in place … Safety is our number one priority.”
View their announcement below:
Despite DeSantis’ phased plan to reopen the state, Iberian has initially opted not to offer indoor services. Instead, they will focus on local takeout and delivery.
“The number of procedures to go through in order to guarantee everyone’s safety would not be conducive to a fun and relaxing atmosphere,” Iberian shared via social media May 4. “We will be taking this time to focus on our take out and delivery business. We are not using UberEats or any corporate delivery service because we can’t guarantee their safety procedures.”.
Read more details and view Iberian’s limited menu below:
Punky’s Bar and Grill, which suspended operations March 23, announced their reopening April 29. They began offering services on site May 4.
“We are so grateful to be reopening and to be able to serve our community,” Punky’s shared. “We take the threat of COVID-19 very seriously and our commitment is to ensure the safety of everyone at Punky’s. Reopening is a process, and these are the first steps of getting what will be a new normal for many.”
Owners also addressed a number of questions and concerns, from its limited menu and reduced staff to happy hour chips. They subsequently invited the community to maintain open lines of communication throughout its phased reopening, thanking patrons for their continued support.
“It was great to see returning customers and meet new ones,” the restaurant shared via social media. “While our menu is currently limited, our appreciation is not. Going forward we hope to expand the menu to include all of your favorites while continuing to follow health guidelines to ensure the safety of our customers and staff.”
Check out Punky’s limited menu and additional details below:
Hamburger Mary’s Clearwater, which announced its temporary suspension March 19, will also reopen May 8. Owners shared that the franchise will celebrate with shows all weekend long.
“Welcome back to Hamburger Mary’s Clearwater and all the fun and entertainment!” They shared via social media May 4. “Rest assured, we’re following all CDC guidelines and opening up after deep cleaning the entire restaurant and kitchen with Enviro Shield.”
“It’s showtime again – and we’re excited to have you back,” Mary’s also shared. The restaurant will host a “Fierce Friday” drag show May 8 at 7 p.m., a “Sensational Saturday” show May 9 at 7 p.m. and a special Mother’s Day Brunch show May 10 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., welcoming local entertainers and diners at 25% capacity.
Additional LGBTQ and ally restaurants throughout Tampa Bay which offered takeout and delivery services continue to do so, with many expanding services. You can view Watermark’s restaurant listing here, which is being updated with new information as it’s collected.
For the latest updates about COVID-19 and its impact on the LGBTQ communities in Tampa Bay and Central Florida, view Watermark’s frequently updated coverage here.
