Earlier this morning (Friday, June 26), Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a new executive order, under the umbrella of the COVID-19 disaster declaration issued in March, requiring all bars in the state to again shut down in an effort to stem the rising COVID-19 infection rate across the state. The order comes the Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday, June 25, reported a record 5,996 new cases, and the state’s positivity rate (test-to-positive result ratio) spiked to 11.56 percent and healthcare professionals across the state expressed growing concern that Texas hospitals will soon be overwhelmed.
Dallas Voice is contacting the owners/management of the LGBTQ bars for their responses, and will post them here as we receive them:
Dallas Eagle
Jeffrey Payne, owner of the Dallas Eagle, said he wanted to open his bar but didn’t because, “I couldn’t put myself, my family, my staff, my patrons into a situation I knew wasn’t going to be safe.”
He said that until now the governor’s strategy was to let the county judges take the “blame,” while he did nothing. He said he watched in horror as a north Dallas salon owner dictated statewide policy because she wanted to open her business earlier than even the governor’s accelerated plan.
About closing the bars this morning, Payne said, “He needed to do that.”
And he hoped Abbott was finally taking some responsibility and doing what needs to be done to keep the state safe.
“Kudos to the governor for finally stepping up,” Payne said. “He’s late. This was serious. He wanted to push blame to anyone but him. He failed us.”
Payne believes that if the state had remained closed a few more weeks, we could have actually begun opening safely and he believes the consequences for the economy are devastating. Many businesses that survived one closing and would have survived a few more weeks of closing, will now go under “and it’s the governor’s fault,” he explained. “He had no mechanisms in place, no way to make sure the policies were enforced. Instead, he created a situation where we’re going back to square one — this time with a lot more people infected with the virus.”
He added, “Abbott created a situation where we’ll have to watch the demise of business and rise in unemployment.”
Payne said he was frustrated because he didn’t want to be right about not opening his bar.
Alexandre’s
Alexandre’s owner Lee Daugherty said, “We had a month that most people realize was too soon.”
He said his staff has been meeting weekly and voting on whether or not they thought it was safe to open and have agreed the time’s not right yet. Even after opening, Daugherty said he wouldn’t ask a staff member to come back to work if they didn’t feel safe.
While closed, he and his staff are taking time to clean and do some construction.
Daugherty said the few contact tracings we have point to large get-togethers and bars.
“Abbott has the data,” he said. “And we have a skyrocketing number of cases, increasing deaths, full ICUs.”
He said he was glad Abbott returned some authority to local government so we could get our mask ordinance in place that some other cities around us are following as well.
“We’ve got to get serious about this,” Daugherty said.
He said his priority is to “make sure our staff stays healthy, fed and safe and to take care of our community as well.
Woody’s
“As most of you have heard, the bars in Texas are closed again. Thank you to the to the bar owners that made an actual effort to keep their employees and customers safe. Thank you to the staff of Dallas Woody’s Sports Bar and especially manager Chris Weinfurteer for making Woody’s a safe place to socialize during a difficult time. Thank you to the customers that ‘acted’ right! The others … not so much.
“As far as rumors go, Woody’s will reopen when the government says it’s okay. We are fortunate to own our building and property. If you hear any gossip, you now know the facts. Please be safe and hope to see you soon.”
— Matt
Caven (JR.’s, Sue Ellens, TMC and S4)
In compliance with Governor Abbott’s Executive Order issued this morning, all Caven bars will be closed effective immediately until further notice. We greatly appreciate the continued support of our customers, and while the current circumstances are certainly challenging to everyone in our community, Caven will always prioritize the safety and wellbeing of our staff and guests above all other.
Cedar Springs Tap House
Cedar Springs Tap House serves food and will remain open at 50 percent occupancy with large outdoor patio for serving.
Hidden Door
Harvey Meissner, president and CEO,, said they met just yesterday about postponing their opening. The bar has been undergoing a remodeling that is just about complete. They decided to postpone any opening for the health and safety of their staff and employees until at least Sept. 1.
In a statement emailed to Dallas Voice, Meissner said: “The Hidden Door will remain closed until new procedures and policies from state and local officials advise it is safe to welcome our friends back. While we have greatly missed seeing those who have supported the bar over the years, the safety of our customers and employees is paramount during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We have used the ‘down time’ to completely remodel the bar, ceiling to floor. We have updated our equipment and fixtures in order to better serve our guests. It was critical that none of these efforts affect the traditions and spirit of The Hidden Door.
“As soon as it is safe to do so, The Hidden Door will be open with lots of free parking and the same friendly staff serving up the great drinks you have all come to expect from us. In the meantime, it is our sincere wish everyone will stay safe and do all that’s possible to mitigate the spread of the virus during this challenging time.”
Give me a break. Lee Daugherty didn’t reopen Alexandre’s for several reasons but it had nothing to do with wanting to do the right thing.
#1, His max capacity is less than 50, so 50% capacity is 25. LOL
#2, He wanted to be able to attend all the riots and protests.
Liquid Zoo and Marty’s re-opened because without the kickback they get on drug sells neither bar would make it.
Levi, I don’t condemn Mr. Daugherty for either of the reasons you mentioned for not wanting to open his bar. They are both valid along with many others.
Might want to educate yourself on LGBTQ history and how you have the rights you have today Levi. I would rather stand with someone who is protesting for reform and the rights of others than someone expressing their 1st amendment rights on a webpage claiming drug deals happen at certain bars.
I am also going to assume that you literally are not responsible for any business or employees on the strip. They made their decisions democratically among the staff whether or not to reopen.
I don’t know many other people that would walk through fire and brimstone for our community at a moments notice than Lee, yet you tear him down with shallow uneducated commentary and speculation that serves nothing more than a “graffiti tag” of your opinion.
Your post is amusing and very naive. If you don’t think that drug deals happen at some of the bars on the strip, well I can’t help you there. Also, it appears you have some “special” affiliation with Lee , so I will let you spin it anyway you want. That is your right. My “opinion” as you put it is based on my experience.
Hi, Levi. Our staff votes have been documented along with updates on our social media as well as mine, feel free to check them out. Alexandre’s max capacity per code is 91, while the 6 foot distancing effects us more than capacity, we are working and prepared to not only safely accomidate and serve at 25%, we are looking to expand our outdoor area for even more space. Hope when we are open you’ll have the opportunity to check it out. I’m sure you’ll be impressed. As far as the protests, myself and the bar were proud to support them not only in words, but action. Something we are not ashamed of doing. Hope you are well, wear your mask, hope to see you soon.
What about the tin room and Marty’s where is their representation in this article?
Please notice that we said we would post responses as we get them.
I didn’t say anything about being ashamed of attending the protests but please feel free to spin my comment any way you like. I’ve been to your bar several times in the past, I’m well aware of the type of bar you run. Thanks for the invitation, but I’ll pass.