Beale Street reopening rules keep booze, music indoors
Jenny Rudd takes a walk down a newly reopened Beale Street with her granddaughters London Hayes (left) and Skyla Hayes on May 7, 2020. The City of Memphis announced Thursday afternoon that Beale Street businesses are allowed to open to customers beyond carry-out orders. (Jim Weber/Daily Memphian)
Beale Street is starting to come back to life, but without the outdoor drinking and music and throngs of people.
The city and Beale Street management announced Thursday, May 7, that Beale Street shops and restaurants can allow customers inside again with additional safeguards to protect against COVID-19.
Some of the restaurants have been open for carry-out and to-go orders, but a number didn’t reopen when in-restaurant dining resumed on a limited basis this week.
Temporary restrictions include a ban on gatherings of more than 10 people and measures to keep alcoholic beverages from being consumed outdoors.
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Clubs can’t sell drinks from outdoor bars or on-street carts, and dine-in customers won’t be allowed to take drinks outside, with or without lids.
They can’t schedule live music or DJs during open business hours or play outdoor music.
The street will be blocked to vehicular traffic at 5 p.m. daily, but pedestrian traffic will be limited to sidewalks.
Beale Street restaurants will close to dine-in patrons at 10 p.m. daily until further notice.
The Downtown Memphis Commission’s security force the Blue Suede Brigade will provide additional security.
A normally crowded Beale Street sits empty on April 15, 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic shuts down many area bars and restaurants. (Patrick Lantrip/Daily Memphian)
Topics
Beale Street travel and tourism COVID-19 recovery Reopening Memphis coronavirusWayne Risher
Business news reporter, 43-year veteran of print journalism, 35-year resident of Memphis, University of Georgia alumnus and proud father and spouse of University of Memphis graduates.
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