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Countertop, bar dining allowed at Clark County restaurants

Bar-top gambling remains on hold
Posted at 5:05 PM, Sep 09, 2020
and last updated 2020-09-10 01:52:23-04

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — If you’re planning on eating and drinking at your favorite restaurant, another seating option is now available.

Customers can now sit at the bars and countertops at restaurants with proper social distancing still in effect.

“Everybody has been through so much already, so any new progress is exciting," said Nina Manchev, the owner of Forte Bar and Tapas.

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She says she is glad to see restrictions loosen.

Starting Wednesday, restaurants in Clark County that have a countertop or bar seating will be allowed to have customers sit there with social distancing measures.

Manchev says the bar area normally seats 12 but will limit it to around five or six. She believes it will help create a more “social” atmosphere.

“I think this gives people more of an option and kind of create that spontaneous environment of being able to go on a date,” she said.

Manchev had renovations done at the restaurant, which caused her to get creative when bar seating wasn’t available.

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“With all the changes and everything, we added a couple of tables by the bar area that’s far away from it,” she said.

Manchev sees this as another step towards eventually welcoming back the usual number of guests whenever restrictions are fully lifted.

“We’re all excited about adjusting to this new norm and seeing where everything goes, and hopefully everyone stays healthy and well and we can all get through this,” Manchev said.

However, there are a few exceptions to the new rule.

If a restaurant has a bar top with a gaming machine on it, no one can sit there - bars that don’t serve food will also remain closed.