Bars, restaurants adjust New Year’s Eve celebration plans

CHARLOTTE — Many restaurants and bars have adjusted to COVID-19 restrictions to keep business and New Year’s Eve celebrations alive.

Alchemist restaurant in South End rang in the new year five hours early.

The celebration gave patrons the opportunity to jump into 2021 together with cocktails while following state COVID-19 ordinances.

They had a Champagne toast while social distancing.

“Happy New Year. And as long as it’s better than the last year, that’s good for me,” a customer said.

Head chef Ken Aponte said they made the unique choice to celebrate 2021 on London-time with a James Bond them.

England rings in the new year at 7 p.m. EST.

That gave customers the opportunity to drink before the governor’s order kicks in, which bans alcohol consumption after 9 p.m. at restaurants.

“We’re in the business of hospitality and making sure people have a good time and be safe in the process, so that’s what we’re here to do,” Aponte said.

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Pizzas will be flying in and out of Benny Pennello’s oven on New Year’s Eve as more people plan to celebrate the new year at home.

Workers at the pizza place in NoDa said they started getting orders called in on Wednesday.

They expect New Year’s Eve will be as busy as the Super Bowl or Valentine’s Day.

“I expect the entire block to be filled up today, doing two to three pies every 15 minutes,” said Brian Visco, Benny Pennello’s. “All the way until we close tonight.”

Restaurants not sure what to expect on New Year’s Eve

Restaurants not sure what to expect on New Year’s Eve

It was hard to believe that New Year’s Eve is Thursday since celebrations have been canceled because large gatherings are not allowed due to COVID-19 regulations in North Carolina.

[Why you should eat greens, black-eyed peas, cornbread on New Year’s Day]

Local restaurants are not sure what to expect for New Year’s Eve.

Crowds once poured into uptown to watch the Queen City crown lighting. Not this year.

Many places that would’ve been packed with revelers will now sit empty when the clock strikes midnight.

Moo and Brew in Plaza Midwood workers said they are well-staffed for an early “crowd” but do not know what to expect.

A 10 p.m. curfew and a cut off time for alcohol sales at 9 p.m. have made ringing in the new year in a crowded bar nonexistent.

COVID-19: Empty streets in uptown as the new year rings in

“So what we end up doing is we have some party favors and champagne, might throw a Nerf ball up in the air and let it drop,” said Matt Wohlfarth, owner of Dilworth Grille. “You know, 2020.”

But there is somewhat a lifeline: To-go alcohol sales.

[Cooper OKs to-go, delivered cocktails in latest step to curb virus spread]

It is limited to one drink per person and they must show an ID, but Moo and Brew and Dilworth Grille have not seen that concept take off yet.

Restaurants can also deliver alcohol and food past the curfew.

Many businesses that have been treading water for 10 months are clinging to hope for some light at the end of the tunnel as 2020 comes to a close.

Cooper OKs to-go, delivered cocktails in latest step to curb virus spread

Cox Media Group