‘Bars don’t feel safe right now’: Wolff’s Biergarten temporarily closes in Syracuse and throughout New York

Syracuse, NY – Wolff’s Biergarten, a popular upstate New York bar chain known for hosting soccer games, has temporarily closed due to concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, the owner wrote on Facebook today.

“The reason for temporarily closing is that the bars don’t feel safe at the moment,” wrote owner Matt Baumgartner. “I don’t want to contribute to the growing cases that we are seeing across the country.”

He said he and other restaurant owners are seeing an increase in cases on their staff. Wolff’s has locations in Syracuse, Albany, Troy, and Schenectady.

“For now, Wolff cannot be Wolff,” he wrote. “We truly feel that taking a break is in everyone’s best interest, and we will be happy to welcome you again, whenever it is.”

In addition, he wrote: “It is clear that many people simply do not follow the rules.”

Here is the full statement, signed by Baumgartner:

“To our friends at Wolff’s Biergarten,

“With great sadness, but with a sense of determination about the future, we are announcing that the 4 Wolff’s Biergarten locations – Albany, Troy, Schenectady and Syracuse – are temporarily closed, effective today, July 4.

“The reason for temporarily closing is that the bars don’t feel safe right now. Its defining feature was a close and fun social environment, with people gathered and cheering on their favorite teams. That is not possible now.

“We, along with other local restaurants, are seeing an increase in Covid cases within our own teams, and it just doesn’t feel safe for our employees and our guests. The model implemented for bars and restaurants simply does not work at this time. And I don’t want to contribute to the growing cases that we are seeing across the country.

“In the last few weeks of being open, it’s clear that many people just don’t follow the rules. We try to ask kindly and even firmly, but when people get excited and have been drinking, they forget to follow the rules or don’t care.

“And given the capacity constraints imposed by bars / restaurants, we simply cannot afford to add additional staff to keep an eye on everyone.

“For now, Wolff cannot be Wolff. We really feel that the break is the best for everyone, and we will be happy to welcome you again, whenever it is. For now, we can only say we will reopen when we can safely and in the true spirit of Wollf’s Biergarten that you have loved and had so much fun over the past 11 years.

“On a personal note, I would like to add that it has been very difficult and more than frustrating for the companies themselves in a country that is experiencing a total lack of leadership by our President regarding the management of this virus. We deserve better. “

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