New York City Venues are Opening Up

Piper Page
Mar 31, 2021
3 min read

Good news! New York City will be opening its doors for concert goers starting in April. As we know, many venues have had to close their doors due to COVID-19 and suffered severe financial losses. Governor Andrew Cuomo announced recently that event, arts and entertainment venues are welcome to open, with restrictions, due to the decrease in positive cases and increase in vaccinations. Here’s what we know:

Starting back on March 22nd, social gatherings of up to 100 people, social distancing and wearing masks were acceptable indoors and 200 people outdoors, COVID restrictions applying. Residential home gatherings of up to 25 people outdoors could occur, and indoor capacity is still capped at 10.
Beginning on April 2nd, 2021 venues can open at 33% capacity, up to 100 people indoors, provided they all social distance and wear a mask, and up to 200 people outdoors with the same protocols applying.
In order to bump up the capacity to 150 indoors and 500 outdoors, concert-goers must test negative before they enter, wear a mask, and social distance in order for the venue to qualify
Some venues and performing arts centers are opening their doors, like the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, who announced their spring season under the Restart Stages Initiative.
Vaccine access has increased throughout the state and as of yesterday, March 30th, all New York Residents aged 30 or older qualify for the vaccine. On April 6th, all New York residents aged 16+ will qualify for the vaccine.
It is debatable as to if venues will be able to sustain under a limited capacity, and we’re hoping for the best. Make sure to support local venues near you to help live music stay live!

Here are some things you can do to support local venues as they reopen:

Continue donating to and supporting NIVA and Save Our Stages
Support LOCAL venues! Check out sonicbids.com for a list of venues in your area and check out the SWH Team’s Favorite Local NYC Venues at the bottom of this article.
Wear a mask. Period. That’s it.
Support small venue employees---yep, that means no free drinks too! And tip your bartenders. If you can’t afford to tip at least 20%, bartend in your kitchen for free.
Buy the ticket. In 2021, we’re not doing guest lists or loop holes. Support the scene and the artist and actually purchase the damn ticket.
Take the test and get the vaccine. Seriously, we want live music back in full experience just as much as you do. But that can only happen if you get a negative test or get vaccinated before concert-going. See if you’re eligible for the vaccine here (NYC only).
Support the ARTISTS! Buy their merch, stream their music, shout their lyrics!
Support the BOOKERS! *Wink wink, hint hint, support Stage Whisper-Her and other talent booking agencies!*
Social Distance, Be Safe, Have Fun
Be patient. Venues, Artists and Bookers have been working their asses off to bring back live music after a year without it. We’re trying <3