Mercury Lounge Tulsa: The Reality of a Pandemic
The Coronavirus Pandemic has dealt a major blow to businesses, both large and small, all across the globe. COVID-19 has done damage to our music industry in an economic sense and it has also taken some of our music heroes from us like the great John Prine. A country on lockdown; Tours cancelled, musicians struggling to make ends meet, and it has left venues in serious financial despair as they struggle to keep the doors open. While many doors continue to remain closed, some will never open again. Things will not be how they use to be, before COVID-19. Not in the immediate future, anyway.
On March 17, 2020, Tulsa mayor G.T. Bynum issued an executive order that in part, “…closes all bars in Tulsa immediately.” Everything was halted. Shows postponed, cancelled, or held in limbo while the people of Tulsa were ordered to practice social distancing. The Mercury Lounge Tulsa shut their doors to the public as ordered by the mayor. However, that didn’t stop the dive bar from helping the local music scene. Instead, the Mercury Lounge began to form and execute a safe plan, almost immediately, that allowed local musicians to utilize their stage and livestream capabilities. The success of this effort allowed for local acts to receive payment or “virtual tips” throughout performances that were streamed from the dive bar stage. But, this too would be halted by COVID-19.
All Photos By Melissa Payne
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Still issued a “Safer at Home Order” statewide for the period of March 28 at 11:59 p.m. through April 30 to slow the spread of COVID-19. This order was for those 65 years of age or older and individuals with underlying medical conditions. However, for the safety of Tulsa, mayor Bynum issued the same “Safer at Home Order” but for “all” Tulsans. Not only did the order apply to all ages, but all public and private events or social gatherings outside of a family or living unit were no longer allowed. Again, halting music from the Mercury Lounge stage.
Livestream shows started to take over social media. Musicians all across the country began to find ways to play music for their fans in an effort to help pay their bands through “virtual tips” and selling merchandise. Morning coffee shows, matinees, variety shows, and late-night streams quickly became the “new normal.” The Mercury stayed in the game by offering their social media reach for livestreams to both local and touring musicians. They have provided, and continue to provide, a space for artists to create and perform for an audience. Feeds have been viewed by thousands over multiple social media platforms, with all “virtual tips” given to the performers. Phase I of III is currently in motion in an effort to safely open up the State of Oklahoma. While bars are still not able to open their doors to the public, they are included in Phase II, which is set to begin on May 15.
An opening date for the Mercury Lounge Tulsa has yet to be decided (as of May 7, 2020). I spoke with bar manager, Bobby Dean Orcutt, and he stated that the date of reopening will be determined by “current trends, data, and on the advice of medical professionals. The first priority of the Mercury Lounge is to make sure that the environment is safe for patrons, staff, and the bands that play on the stage.” During the closure, the staff has continued to work by fully cleaning and sanitizing the entire facility. This will ensure that they start with a clean environment that can be maintained during business and after business hours. Guidelines have also been provided by the state and local governments based on the State of Oklahoma Reopening Plan. These recommendations will be implemented and put into place at the Mercury Lounge.
Capacity levels at the Mercury will be reduced to a maximum of 50. Orcutt stated that the bar will “mitigate risk by enforcing firm capacity guidelines.” 20 people, seated and maintaining social distancing guidelines, will be allowed inside the facility at one time, while 30 patrons will be able to listen to the live music and enjoy beverages out on the patio area.” The Mercury will hire an additional staff member that will be held accountable for the strict capacity guidelines along with additional cleaning duties to help maintain a safe and sterile environment. Staff will also be monitored on a daily basis for signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
Bobby Dean Orcutt | Mercury Lounge Tulsa
The Mercury Lounge Tulsa is committed to keeping their customers, staff, and bands safe. Once they are confident that they can do this, the bar will once again be open for business. You can expect to see similar actions taken by other venues, both large and small, throughout Tulsa. It is important to everyone in the music community that we all take the necessary steps and work together to re-open and stay open. If we don’t do it right, it can and will have real consequences on venues, staff, music, and the health of everyone involved. The best way to support music venues and the artists that perform in these establishments, is to follow and help implement these very important and strict guidelines. #thisbarsucks
cityoftulsa.org/press-room/april-29-covid-19-situation-update/
