City Winery's New COVID Policy May End Soon

The Dimmer Twins, Patterson Hood and Mike Cooley of Drive-by Truckers, at City Winery on July 22

City Winery NYC may soon suspend its new policy of requiring customers to present a negative COVID test result in addition to proof of vaccination. The concierge for the New York City restaurant and show place yesterday electronically comunicated this update to ticket holders inquiring about upcoming concerts. The messages suggested that the recently instituted policy, the first in a New York City restaurant, is temporary and subject to change. 

This past Sunday, City Winery announced that effective immediately, patrons entering the complex would need to show a negative COVID test result from the past 24 hours in addition to proof of vaccination. Hours later, Los Lobos played to a reportedly half-filled room, even though the show was sold out. On Monday afternoon, City Winery announced that Los Lobos' Monday and Tuesday night concerts were canceled. On Tuesday afternoon, inquiring ticket holders for upcoming shows received a notice that the negative test policy was for entry through that day.

Griffin House at City Winery on July 7

Poppa Chubby at the Loft at City Winery on July 7

"Currently we are requiring test results for shows through Tuesday, December 21. Should this policy extend to affect the (upcoming show and date), we will be reaching out to all ticket holders with further information and instruction at that time," reads a notice sent yesterday. "Currently our team is working to iron out the necessary requirements. Once this has been confirmed, we will be reaching out to any ticket holders that might be affected with further information."

This means that by the time the next show comes around, ticket holders may not need to show a negative test result. David Broza's December 23 concert is postponed to an unspecified date. The next scheduled show at City Winery will be the Uncorked Presents: Modi’s Holidazed Show on December 25. As that date approaches, City Winery will notify ticket holders whether the negative test result will continue to be mandatory.

City Winery implemented the negative test policy due to the current surge of COVID infections from the Omicron variant. City Winery is a chain that operates in eight cities and, so far, the new policy impacts the Chelsea location only. While the venue can choose to relax its unique test result requirement, municipal policy will continue to mandate that all indoor customers be vaccinated.

Loudon Wainwright III at City Winery on July 8

Lilly Winwood at City Winery on July 31 

Venue Operators Reevaluate Whether to Stay Open

With the rapid and sharp rise in COVID positivity in New York City, members of the touring talent industry continue weighing whether or not to hold previously scheduled events this week. As reported in The Manhattan Beat yesterday, many venues are closing for several days. Unlike the shutdown in March 2020, which the government imposed, this time the musicians, promoters and venue operators are making independent decisions freely, based on their own assessment of safety.

Tonight's Brian Fallon & the Howling Wind concert at the Town Hall is postponed until February 22. For those looking for live music tonight, the following are but a few of the recommended live performances that at press time were still scheduled to happen.

• David Byrne's American Utopia at St. James Theatre
• Chris Botti at the Blue Note (8 & 10:30 p.m.)
• CeCe Winans at Times Square Church
• Contemporary Adults at the Anyway Café
• Deep C Revival at the Red Lion

(All photographs by Ehud Lazin)

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The Manhattan Beat covers New York City's live music developments as they happen. All photographs are by Everynight Charley Crespo, except when noted otherwise. For a list of Manhattan venues that are presenting live music regularly, swing the desktop cursor to the right and click on the pop-up tab "Where to Find Live Music." For a listing of upcoming concerts for live audiences, visit The Manhattan Beat's December 2021 calendar.