COVID-19 alters NYE party hopping

    Murphy – Typically, Shelly Stephens spends New Year’s Eve hopping from party to party. She starts at The Daily Grind & Wine for its traditional countdown and toast with Dublin, Ireland, at 7 p.m., then heads to either Parson’s Pub or Bistro 29 to continue her evening with friends.
    This year will be different.
    “We definitely will not be out,” Stephens said. “Even last year we didn’t go because I had gotten sick for two years prior after New Year’s Eve, but definitely this year, we won’t be. …
    “We have not really been out socially since March 11.”
    She said it’s sad, but necessary.
    “I feel bad for them, and for everybody that’s taking a hit economically through all of this, but it is very important that we all follow the recommendation and the mandates from the state,” Stephens said.
    As of Dec. 11, restaurants, breweries and wineries must close by 10 p.m., events must end by 10 p.m. and onsite alcohol consumption must end at 9 p.m., according to an executive order issued by Gov. Roy Cooper, affecting New Year celebrations across the state.
    Fortunately, The Daily Grind can continue with its traditional early evening celebration from 5-7 p.m. The family friendly event encourages partygoers to wear pajama bottoms and dressy top. There will be free champagne or sparkling grape juice served to toast the new year as it arrives across the Atlantic in Dublin.
    “I’m glad that all of my hours and traditions already fit within the guidelines,” owner Lane Schreiber said. “I’m glad I don’t have to question where I fall on either side of that fence.”
    There will be one 2020 twist – Schreiber will have a “burn” barrel with fake flames and flickering lights, providing guests an opportunity to rid of a reminder of the past year. Guests will be asked to bring a “sacrifice,” but the restaurant will have sheets of paper to write or draw a picture of what they’d like to get rid of.
    “There’s something freeing in actually releasing that energy, even if it’s fake,” Schreiber said.
    Those who wish to move on to another restaurant in town will still have some time to do so.
    Colby Beck, owner of The Parson’s Pub, said things usually wind down around 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve anyway. The order mostly affects how they can celebrate.
    “We’ll just go with trying to make it as festive as possible,” Beck said.
    Chevelles Restaurant & Bar won’t be open as late as past years, but does plan to have Andrew Chastain performing from 6-9 p.m.
    At Bistro 29, the gathering usually ends just before midnight. Last year, the final table service was at 10 p.m. with people heading somewhere else to count down to the new year, owner Wayne Peacock said. The limited hours will impact how many people they can serve Thursday.
    “We’ve been very blessed every New Year’s,” Peacock said. “It’s going to be weird this year. Are people going to come out, or are people not going to come out?”