New Haven's BAR Requires Proof Of Vaccination Or Negative Test

NEW HAVEN, CT — Starting Friday, downtown New Haven restaurant and nightclub BAR will require customers to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination or a negative coronavirus test result from within 72 hours.

BAR is reported to be among the first popular restaurants in the state to enact the mandate. A nightclub with live music and dancing, BAR also serves brick-oven pizza and its own micro-brewed beer.

Masks are already mandated indoors as per an executive order issued by New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker.

The mandate, which became effective Monday, requires masks at all indoor establishments including bars, restaurants, theaters and office buildings, “regardless of people’s vaccination status.”

BAR posted its new requirement on Facebook on Monday: “Starting Friday, in order to keep the party going while still prioritizing our community’s health and safety, BAR will require proof of COVID vaccine or a negative COVID test result dated within 72 hours from all guests.”

The majority of the hundreds of people who shared reactions and comments on the social media post supported BAR’s move. "Thank you, BAR, for striving to keep the community safe!" was a popular sentiment.

But a number of people did not support the new requirement, with some declaring they will no longer be customers.

“You lost me as a customer who actually liked your product. You have NO right to my personal medical information,” one wrote.

Last week, Elicker announced that given Gov. Ned Lamont’s executive order permitting cities and towns to enact their own COVID-19 mitigation measures, the city will require indoor masking.

New Haven County is an area of high COVID-19 community transmission, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“This commonsense measure will help protect our residents amidst the increasing spread of the delta variant,” Elicker said, while also encouraging residents to get vaccinated.

“Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect yourself from becoming very ill," he said. "If you haven’t been vaccinated, you should do so as soon as possible.”


Read Elicker’s executive order here:

New Haven Mayor Justin Elic... by Ellyn Santiago

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Tuesday afternoon, BAR issued a statement explaining its decision, as reported by WTNH.

"On Monday, Mayor Elicker reinstated the mask mandate in response to the recent spike in Covid-19 cases. This prompted us to make a difficult decision. The dance club is a major part of the BAR experience that puts us in a unique position. While we are proud to provide an important social outlet for our city, especially after an extended time of isolation, we understand the nature of the club entails close dancing. We have a responsibility to make the experience as safe as possible with the information we have during these times. In an effort to keep the club open, our staff employed and the New Haven community safe during the spike of infection rates, we are continuing to adjust and are temporarily requiring proof of vaccination OR a recent negative COVID test.Anyone can still order pizza for delivery or pick up 7 days a week. As a privately owned business, we are doing what we think will offer protection to our community, guests and staff."