Bars, restaurants, The Gateway prepare for safe New Year’s Eve Celebrations

SALT LAKE CITY — While health and safety are at the forefront, some places are still finding ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve as people bid farewell to 2020.

The Gatewayin downtown Salt Lake City’s ‘Last Hurrah’ is offering about 600 people to come together in a safe way. The event will be completely outdoors, with ticket holders set in designated spaces with their group, Gateway Marketing Director Jacklyn Briggs said.

“We wanted to this in a Salt Lake downtown fashion and do the firework show and connect people, whether that is online or in person,” she said.

Read: Utah reports 21 deaths related to COVID-19; 2,614 new cases Wednesday

While tickets are sold out online, people can watch the show consisting of music and fireworks virtually. Having a virtual option was important, so everyone had a chance to feel connected to the downtown community, Briggs said.

“Anyone from the comfort of their home, from their couch, or if they are with their pod at their house, they can turn it on and celebrate it all together,” she said.

The Gateway will also have their regular bars and restaurants open to the public, Briggs said. Some spots will stay open late for food and drinks.

With the 10pm alcohol sale restriction lifted, the spokesperson for the Sun Trapp bar in downtown Salt Lake Citysaid they are elated to be able to host New Year’s Eve.

“The level of excitement of actually being able to participate in this New Years has gone off the charts for our staff,” Michael Repp said.

The celebration will be much smaller, with limited capacity, Repp said. The bar is no longer accepting reservations but is keeping about 30 percent capacity for people who wait in line, he said.

“This year unfortunately, we are capping out at 120 people for our 4300 square foot space that is normally shoulder to shoulder,” Repp said.

New Year’s Eve is expected to be the highest revenue night for the bar since COVID-19 restrictions began in March, Repp said.

Read: Utah County leaders warn against illegal gatherings on New Year’s Eve

In Sugar House, the owner of Harbor Seafood & Steak is hopeful for a busy New Year’s Eve. The restaurant will not be offering a pre-set menu this year, as there are so many unknowns.

In order to help people feel safe, Randall Curtis has put some small green houses outside on the patio that people can sit inside.

It has been difficult, Curtis admits. The restaurant has been open through all the holidays this year.

“Usually we have New Year’s Day off for our staff but with COVID this year, it is pretty much it’s all hands on deck. We pretty much have to work every day. This year is just a little different we are open all the holiday days just to be open, available and so we can make it through,” Curtis said.

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