Greetings,
It has been over 60 days since we have had the privilege of hosting you at City Lights and sharing our incredible space, warm hospitality, delicious food and award-winning beers with you.
And we’re still not sure when we will have the honor of doing so again.
Over the last weeks, we have re-engineered our entire hospitality operation with one priority: ensuring the health and wellbeing of our guests and our team members. Things will be different when you visit City Lights when we do eventually re-open Thursday – Sunday for taproom, patio and curb-side service.
We have implemented policies and procedures to minimize human contact whenever and wherever possible. We professionally clean the taproom every day and we will have a professional service deep clean and sanitize every nook, cranny and surface in the taproom prior to re-opening and frequently thereafter. Our team members will have a health screening and their temperature checked every day prior to starting. We will have thoroughly trained each team member in industry and CDC recommended best practice standards – hand sanitizing, frequent hand washing, etc. The staff will be masked (but with cheek-busting smiles behind those masks.) The team will be gloved when appropriate. We’ll be fully in sync with the Wisconsin Restaurant Association guidelines :https://www.wirestaurant.org/docs/default-source/wra/wi_rest_promise_flyer.pdf?sfvrsn=818d1d20_2&_zs=9OWBD1&_zl=jOCl5 and other national, state and local protocols as they evolve and are published.
During busy service hours, we will have a dedicated team member greeting and seating guests and ensuring the taproom is socially distanced, sanitized and in compliance with all of our policies and procedures.
In the taproom, there will be no ordering or seating at the bar. This is a bummer for sure; but our signature hand-polished, pecky cedar bar ain’t six feet in width. Calvin and the bartending team are all rock stars and look forward to a time (hopefully in the near-term future) that they can regale you with their charm and infinite knowledge of beer and all things City Lights related. We will temporarily discontinue the serving of flights. Pints will be served in the guest’s preference of either glass or plastic.
Inside and out, all guests will be seated at a minimum of six feet away from another party. For taproom service, we will utilize a special text line and all taproom food and beverage orders will be processed via text to minimize personal contact. Menus are going mobile as guests will be encouraged to use personal phones to view our updated online beer and food menus. Large menu boards will be on display for guests to snap a photo of before heading to their seats, but we will have single use menus available. Servers will be on hand outside to enthusiastically make your City Light experience magical for your patio beer and food enjoyment.
Chef Cate’s got a heart full of love for you and each of her servings will reflect an extra helping of passion, love and zeal. Every order will be served in disposable carry-out containers with single use packets of catsup, (ketchup?) mustard, salt and pepper available. Utensils will be one use plastic.
During the first weeks of service, regrettably we will not be allowing anyone under 21 years of age into the taproom and on the patio. We will review this weekly as we better understand the flow.
All transactions will be cashless. A 20% gratuity will be added to all transactions for expediency and appreciation (with a personal decision option.)
On the idyllic, river-side patio all tables have been positioned to allow a minimum of six feet between parties. There will be no bags games. There will be, however, some of the most beautiful hanging baskets you have ever seen, luscious purple fountain grass plants, warm sunshine, smooth flowing waters and the greatest ambience in the City to share good times and great beers.
We encourage our guests, once seated to remain seated. Despite our love for our brothers and sisters down under, taproom and beer garden walk-a-bouts will be prohibited. For the comfort and peace of mind of all, we are trying to minimize any non-service related personal interactions. Restrooms will be limited to one guest at a time.
I would be remiss in not giving a BIG SHOUT OUT to my fingers. I can always count on them!
Those of you who have previously visited City Lights were most likely greeted at the door by me with a warm handshake or high five. Going forward, the handshakes and high fives will be virtual, but the emotion and sentiments behind these virtual expressions of friendship and camaraderie will have taken on a heightened sense of awe and appreciation. The last eight weeks have reinforced just how much we LOVE hosting you at City Lights and how important the health and wellbeing of our guests and our team is.
Take care, be well and stay safe.
Robin