Bars Starting to Bounce Back Amid Pandemic

Recent Restrictions Have Been Lifted

Right now at very high risk.

This weekend is the first where bars and restaurants have been able to serve alcohol past 10:30 -- with the alcoholic beverage control board lifting restrictions earlier this week.

Waay 31's max cohan is live in huntsville after talking to local bars about what they saw this weekend at area watering holes like the lone goose saloon -- a return to regular service hours has brought in more business this weekend.

Something area restaurants and bars have been waiting for.

"the first weekends been great, we're all pretty excited about it."

After months of ups and downs -- local restaurants and bars are starting to see signs of relief...several spots say this weekend was a benchmark on the road to recovery -- as loosened restirctions on hours of alcohol service have provided a boost to numbers.

Michael groce -- manager of huntsville's lone goose saloon -- says many of the bar's regualr customers are restuarant or service industry memebers and were unable to come in when sales were cutoff.

"i just saw somebody last night and they were talking about how they hadn't been out since march and you know they finally got out last night."

Across town at the sportspage lounge -- co-owner mike roberts also noted the service industry crowd as big factor in the weekend's improved numbers.

"i heard several people say last week, it sure is nice for it not to be last call -- early, around 11:15, or so, you know, it sure is nice not to have to finish you drink and leave."

Roberts said there has definetely been an immediate impact -- but said it will take time to truly get a feel of where they stand now.

Still, he says it's definetely a step in the right direction.

"we weren't sure, by may, we weren't sure if we were gonna make it or not, max.

So i think all of us, i think every single bar and restaurant in this city and every employee at them, felt the same sense of urgency for something to give."

Something to give."

Both roberts and groce said they feel the next step is getting back to full capacity -- from the current 50 percent -- and easing restrictions on social distancing -- reminding customers that those restirctions are still