Coronavirus cases are on the rise yet again in Nashville, as the new Omicron variant surges through the community. And though the city has long since ditched its capacity restrictions, some places are taking it upon themselves to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The ever-changing pandemic protocols could affect your holiday plans. Here’s what you should know before you head out this week:
Bars and Restaurants:
Some of the locations listed had pre-planned closures for the holidays — some of which were extended to allow for mass testing of staff during this Omicron surge, and others may be extended as cases continue to rise. WPLN News will be updating as more information is available.
Anzie Blue: The popular brunch spot in Hillsboro Village says on its Instagram that it will be closed until Jan. 7.
Big Al’s Deli: The beloved Salemtown diner closed early for Christmas and will remain closed through Jan. 4, according to Facebook.
Bearded Iris Brewing: Both taprooms closed Dec. 26 and will remain closed until at least Thursday, Dec. 30.
Brightside Bakeshop: The East and West Nashville pastry shop announced on Instagram that both locations will remain closed through Jan. 4.
Baked on 8th: The 8th Avenue South bakery announced on Instagram that it will remain closed though Jan. 5.
Diskin Cider: The cidery’s tasting room will be closed from Dec. 30 until Jan. 2.
Frothy Monkey: With multiple coffeeshop locations in the Nashville area, Frothy Monkey is adjusting its hours at each as new positive cases are confirmed companywide, it says on Instagram. Check the caption on the day’s latest post for updated hours and potential closures by location.
Hurry Back: The bar next to the Exit/In announced this week that it will be closed until further notice.
Hey Nashville, we have decided to close until further notice due to the rising COVID-19 cases. Keep an eye out for re-opening date. Stay well, happy holidays! pic.twitter.com/R9iCLbOg82
— Hurry Back (@HurryBackNash) December 26, 2021
IT’Z A Philly Thing: The cheesesteak and water ice stand says on Instagram that it will be closed through Jan. 3.
King Tut’s: The South Nashville food truck and patio announced on Instagram that it will remain closed through Jan. 25.
Loveless Cafe: The historic cafe and shops will be closed, not due to cases, but scheduled maintenance from Jan. 3 to 7, according to their Instagram.
Midnight Oil: The pizza shop in the Nations closed Dec. 27 to get all staff tested after some direct contacts. Most tests have come back negative, the restaurant says on Instagram, but will be reopening as to-go only out of an abundance of caution come Thursday.
Radish: The fast-casual bowls, wraps and salad joint announced on Instagram that it will be closed through Jan. 3 for the safety of its customers and due to the high rate of COVID infections affecting staffing.
Redheaded Stranger: The East Nashville taco joint announced on Instagram that it was shortening its hours through at least Sunday and is closing its dining room and moving to takeout ordering only for the forseeable future, though the patio is available after picking up your to-go order.
Riddim N Spice: Though the Caribbean restaurant remains open, it announced on Instagram that it has canceled its large New Years Eve party and refunded the $75-100 tickets for unlimited food, champagne and music from trap, hip-hop and R&B to dancehall, Soca and Afrobeats.
Rolf and Daughters: The Germantown restaurant says on Instagram that it will be taking its annual winter break and closing from Jan. 1 through 10.
Southern Grist: The brewery closed its taprooms earlier this week while staff get tested. Southern Grist says it hopes to reopen Thursday but will continue to provide updates on Instagram.
The Southern V: The vegan soul food restaurant announced on Instagram that it would be closed from Dec. 20 through Jan. 5.
Steadfast Coffee: The Germantown coffeehouse reopened Wednesday after positive cases on staff shut down the shop earlier in the week, but due to staffing shortages, the kitchen remains closed. So it’s coffee-only until further notice, likely on Instagram.
Two Ten Jack: The East Nashville Japanese-inspired pub announced Tuesday on Instagram that it would close temporarily because several employees had tested positive for COVID after the holidays. The restaurant will stay closed on Wednesday while more staff await test results.
Vandyke Bed and Beverage: The bar/hotel has canceled its New Year’s Eve event due to Omicron. The bar is still open for regular service this week.
Music Venues:
3rd and Linsley: Guilty Pleasures, which was supposed to perform at 3rd and Linsley’s New Year’s Eve show, pulled out of the event due to a COVID exposure. The Rubiks Groove will perform instead.
Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge: Dee’s is back open after a temporary closure, but with updated COVID restrictions. The bar has reinstated its mask mandate for people who are standing or moving while indoors.
Exit/In: The concert space canceled or postponed all its shows this week. The venue said it would refund all tickets for Tuesday’s KDSML show and Thursday’s The Left Can Dance show. The New Year’s Eve event with The Protomen has been rescheduled for April 9. Tickets that were already purchased will still be valid, though they can also be refunded until Jan. 6.
The Basement East: Two shows at the East Nashville venue have been canceled this week due to COVID. Thursday’s karaoke party with The Emo Band is off and all tickets will be refunded. The venue also canceled Friday’s Q Year’s Eve event.
From our friends at @qdpnashville: We are so sad to announce that we have decided to cancel QYE at Basement East this Friday 12/31 due to the rising numbers of COVID-19. We were really looking forward to celebrating the beginning of the new year with you…
(1/2) pic.twitter.com/gbFMoIgZrO— The Basement East (@BasementEast) December 29, 2021
The Blue Room at Third Man Records: The record label’s new show space is closed until Jan. 6, according to its Facebook. That means its Disko 2000 New Year’s Eve party will not be happening. All tickets will be refunded.
The Caverns: The underground concert space inside an actual cavern southeast of Nashville has rescheduled its two-night New Year’s Eve celebration for February. Tickets will be honored on the new date.
Other updates:
Belmont University informed its students and staff this week that the spring semester will start online. Classes will begin remotely on Jan. 5 and will return to in-person on Monday, Jan. 18. Students won’t be able to return to their residence halls until the weekend before, on Saturday, Jan. 15.
Nashville’s New Year’s Eve festivities will also have extra COVID precautions. Everyone who attends the Big Bash will now be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test.
Keeping attendees safe during our NYE celebrations is priority number one. With that said, all individuals wishing to enter the event site will be required to show proof of negative test or volunteer proof of COVID-19 vaccination. Get more details here: https://t.co/cnQoRDeNL7 pic.twitter.com/z8JYs6zuQK
— Nashville Tennessee (@visitmusiccity) December 29, 2021
And not COVID but the likelihood of severe weather Wednesday has gotten the Music City Bowl’s Battle of the Bands canceled just hours before its start.
In consultation with Metro Nashville officials and with a high chance of severe weather, the TransPerfect Music City Bowl has cancelled this year’s Battle of the Bands on Lower Broadway.
All additional Bowl events are scheduled as planned. pic.twitter.com/Xw4Mou6RhF
— TransPerfect Music City Bowl (@MusicCityBowl) December 29, 2021
This is a developing story. WPLN News will update as more establishments and events announce schedule changes and cancellations.
This post was last updated Thursday at 8 a.m.