• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • HOME
  • NEWS+OPINIONS
    • NEWS TO US
    • COLUMNS
      • APPARENT HORIZON
      • DEAR READER
      • Close
    • LONGFORM FEATURES
    • OPINIONS
    • EDITORIAL
    • Close
  • ARTS+ENTERTAINMENT
    • FILM
    • MUSIC
    • COMEDY
    • PERFORMING ARTS
    • VISUAL ARTS
    • Close
  • DINING+DRINKING
    • EATS
    • SIPS
    • Close
  • LIFESTYLE
    • CANNABIS
      • TALKING JOINTS MEMO
      • Close
    • WELLNESS
    • GTFO
    • Close
  • STUFF TO DO
  • TICKETS
  • ABOUT US
    • 5 DOUBLE-U’S
    • MASTHEAD
    • DISTRIBUTION
    • ADVERTISE
    • SUBMISSIONS
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • Close
  • BECOME A MEMBER

Dig Bos

The Dig - Boston's Only Newspaper

CURRENT STREET EDITION

DIG 23.02 – 1/28/21

REOPENING NOTES: PILSNERS AND PARTITIONS AT CAMBRIDGE BREWING CO.

Written by JORDAN FRIAS Posted June 11, 2020 Filed Under: Better Boston Beer Bureau, COVID

reopening restaurants Boston

“I’m comforted by the fact that we’re outdoors and there’s less confined space.”


With Step 1 of Phase 2 of the state’s reopening plan underway in Mass, a lot of attention is suddenly on restaurants now catering to outdoor clientele. 

Wanting to check it out myself, I tapped into a few breweries that are able to sling pints and serve food in their patio spaces.

Many establishments not serving food, including breweries and bars, will have to wait until Phase 4 to reopen, Gov. Charlie Baker announced Monday. Several establishments that offer suds and have established kitchens, though, reopened this week.

I found my way to Cambridge Brewing Co. around noon on Tuesday. We reserved a seat the night before, and let the hostess know about it upon our arrival. With her mask on and no customers inside the brewery itself, she then greeted our party, walked us to our patio table, and handed us paper menus and pre-wrapped silverware.

The first thing we noticed were large black partitions separating our table from the one behind us—you might describe them as cubicle walls. There were precautions everywhere, with the people around us all wearing masks, or at the very least pulling their face coverings down to their necks while drinking and eating. In their part, all of the restaurant’s employees wore uniquely styled masks with black gloves the entire time.  

In terms of ordering drinks and food, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. A paper menu blew under our table and my girlfriend’s mask got caught in the wind. She almost mistakenly used it as a napkin. Our fault for not letting them hang at our necks like everyone else.

At one point, we glimpsed a sign on the partition behind us reading, “SCAN TO SEE OUR DRINK MENU.” It featured a large QR code, designed for those wanting to avoid touching the paper menus. 

“It’s our first time out,” I told the server.

“Mine too,” he said.

I watched the bar through open windows and could see our server pouring beer from behind the bar—mask and gloves on the whole time. All things considered, my partner described it as “a very relaxed atmosphere.” I agree. Seeing large chalkboards with beers listed on them made me feel like I was still getting the ambiance of a brewery—just no large communal beer or cocktail vessels, at least for the time being.

Unsure of the procedure around indoor bathrooms I asked and was told to keep my mask on the whole time. On my way to the stalls, I noticed that the bar was roped off, while the door that’s normally between the dining room and bathroom area was propped open.

When I returned, I asked my girlfriend how she felt about the experience so far.

“I’m comforted by the fact that we’re outdoors and there’s less confined space,” she said. “I think the commission did a good thing making this outdoor first.”

We asked the waiter about the partitions, how he feels about the reopening, and the night before.

“An absolute mob scene,” he said about the first dinner service.

In terms of the afternoon crowd, “It’s a little nerve racking,” he said, “but this is doable.”

After 10 weeks away from his job at the brewery, our server said he’s mostly “happy to be outside with a purpose.”

Weren’t we all.


This article was produced in collaboration with the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism as part of its Pandemic Democracy Project.

HELP DIGBOSTON WEATHER THIS STORM AND CONTINUE PROVIDING ARTICLES LIKE THIS ONE

JORDAN FRIAS

Jordan is a journalist with 7 News and a past president of Society of Professional Journalists-New England.

More from author
  • JORDAN FRIAS
    https://digboston.com/author/jordan-frias/
    VIDEO: FENWAY BECOMES MASS VACCINATION SITE THIS WEEK
  • JORDAN FRIAS
    https://digboston.com/author/jordan-frias/
    HANDLING THE HERD: HOW BOSTON BUILT ITS MASSIVE COVID TESTING APPARATUS
  • JORDAN FRIAS
    https://digboston.com/author/jordan-frias/
    VIDEO: MASS VACCINES ADMINISTERED TO MOST VULNERABLE AROUND GREATER BOSTON
  • JORDAN FRIAS
    https://digboston.com/author/jordan-frias/
    COMMUNITY BACKS BLACK EVERETT CITY COUNCILOR WHO WHITE COLLEAGUES ASKED TO RESIGN

Filed Under: Better Boston Beer Bureau, COVID Tagged With: Boston better Beer Bureau, coronavirus, COVID, eats, slider

WHAT’S NEW

WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THE CITY AND STATE TO FINALLY SUPPORT MINORITY BUSINESS?

WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THE CITY AND STATE TO FINALLY SUPPORT MINORITY BUSINESS?

HOMEWORK FOR BEACON HILL’S COVID EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

HOMEWORK FOR BEACON HILL’S COVID EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

A FIREFIGHTER ELECTION

A FIREFIGHTER ELECTION

LEGISLATION AIMS TO HELP UNDOCUMENTED ATTAIN DRIVERS' LICENSES

LEGISLATION AIMS TO HELP UNDOCUMENTED ATTAIN DRIVERS’ LICENSES

INBOX: JANEY ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF MAYORAL SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

INBOX: JANEY ANNOUNCES MEMBERS OF MAYORAL SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

[UPDATE: WE GOT IT!] WHERE IS THE CONTRACT FOR MASSACHUSETTS’ VACCINE APPOINTMENT SOFTWARE?

[UPDATE: WE GOT IT!] WHERE IS THE CONTRACT FOR MASSACHUSETTS’ VACCINE APPOINTMENT SOFTWARE?

Primary Sidebar

HEMPIRE FREEDOM PACK 25% OFF

FEATURED EVENT

Most Popular

  • SPECIAL FEATURE ON THE MASS STATE POLICE: TROOPER WILSON’S WAR by CHRIS FARAONE
  • DOES THE FORMER BPD COMMISSIONER EVEN LIVE IN BOSTON? by ZACK HUFFMAN
  • [UPDATE: WE GOT IT!] WHERE IS THE CONTRACT FOR MASSACHUSETTS’ VACCINE APPOINTMENT SOFTWARE? by POLINA WHITEHOUSE
  • BOSTON LATIN ACADEMY GRADS FIGHT FOR REPRESENTATION IN ALUMNI GROUP by CHRIS FARAONE
  • MASS KEEPS TRYING TO BUILD A NEW WOMEN’S PRISON OUTSIDE OF PUBLIC VIEW by DAN ATKINSON

READ CURRENT MEMBER EDITION

DIG Member 1.9 – 11/26/20

READ CURRENT STREET ISSUE

DIG 23.02 – 1/28/21

Footer

digbos

Bill sponsors, #Framingham mayor, and MA district Bill sponsors, #Framingham mayor, and MA district attorney will explain the Work & Family Mobility Act at a press conference. https://digboston.com/driving-families-forward-coalition-aims-to-help-undocumented-attain-drivers-licenses/ #politics #undocumented #immigration #driving #license #Massachusetts
Today at 4pm, cast your votes! #digboston Today at 4pm, cast your votes! #digboston
At a virtual summit, leaders sought to educate and At a virtual summit, leaders sought to educate and engage on the need for change. https://digboston.com/officials-advocates-speak-to-immigration-reform-and-economic-recovery/ #immigration #reform #economy #politics #Massachusetts
When it comes to special packaging and limited edi When it comes to special packaging and limited editions, Jack’s Abby and subsidiary Springdale out in Framingham are top players. https://digboston.com/video-unboxing-springdale-beers-limited-edition-neipa-music-box-set/ #beer #fun
Industrial Arts Brewing in NY’s Hudson Valley is Industrial Arts Brewing in NY’s Hudson Valley is well worth the look out of state ... https://digboston.com/video-pocket-wrench-by-industrial-arts-brewing-is-a-super-satisfying-session/ #beer #fun
Some who are civilly committed for #addiction in M Some who are civilly committed for #addiction in Mass face abusive #prison conditions. Still, some families say it’s better than the alternative https://digboston.com/the-commitments-addiction-treatment-behind-bars-in-massachusetts/ #treatment #Massachusetts
“Then this thing happened. I decided to pivot. I “Then this thing happened. I decided to pivot. It was probably my best shot at attracting some national attention to #Nebraska.” https://digboston.com/interview-with-rural-rebellion-author-ross-benes/ #interview #book #politics #USA #MAGA
Mark your calendars! Mark your calendars!
“There’s a history of #music being made that w “There’s a history of #music being made that way going back to the mid-’70s.” https://buff.ly/3d5Yfyu #interview #Boston #Massachusetts #coronavirus #COVID19
“Together we got through the economic crisis aft “Together we got through the economic crisis after 9/11 and the financial crash of 2008. With a little luck and perseverance, we will find a way to survive this crisis too.” https://buff.ly/3tQOVnV #interview #vintage #smallbusiness #Cambridge #Massachusetts #coronavirus #COVID19
Load More... Follow on Instagram
Social Buttons

DigBoston facebook DigBoston Twitter DigBoston Instagram

Masthead

About

Submissions

Advertise

Privacy Policy

Customer Service

Distribution

About Us

DigBoston is a one-stop nexus for everything worth doing or knowing in the Boston area. It's an alt-weekly, it's a website, it's an e-mail blast, it's a twitter account, it's that cool party that you were at last night ... hey, you're reading it, so it's gotta be good. For advertising inquiries: [email protected] To reach Editorial: [email protected] For internship opportunities: [email protected]