Food, Beverage, and Nightlife Reopenings

Current Status

Open with Exceptions and Restrictions

  • Restaurants can operate at 100% capacity with restrictions and can seat up to 10 people per table.
  • The information below pertains to Restaurants, Food Service Establishments, Bars, Nightclubs, and Other Similar Establishments.

View County Guidelines 

Restaurant-Specific Rules

Restaurants in the City of Miami – excluding bars, taverns, beer houses, nightclubs, strip clubs, and other adult entertainment establishments – may operate at one hundred percent (100%) capacity in accordance with emergency order 20-244 issued by Governor Ron DeSantis on September 25, 2020 if the restaurant ensures the following:

  • Six (6) feet of distance between patrons at tables
  • No more then ten (10) persons sit at a table
  • Persons not actively eating or drinking are wearing facial coverings

Operating/Occupancy Rules for Food & Beverage Venues

All employees and visitors inside or in outside dining areas of all restaurants or food service establishments as well as bars, nightclubs, and other similar establishments (collectively, "Food & Beverage Venues") must follow the physical distancing and facial covering guidelines as required by the New Normal Guidelines and must be in compliance with the following requirements:

  • Facial coverings or masks must be worn by Food & Beverage Venue personnel at all times.
  • Customers must wear masks at all times unless seated at a table and actively engaged in eating or drinking.
  • The number of staff and customers present at Food & Beverage Venues at any given time is limited to a maximum of 50% of the occupancy load and shall comply with social distancing requirements to the maximum extent possible.
  • A Food & Beverage Venue shall be allowed to operate at up to 100capacity if the venue:
    1. ensures 6 feet of distance between tables; 
    2. ensures that no more than 6 persons (10 persons if from the same household) sit at a table; and 
    3. ensure that persons not actively eating or drinking are wearing facial coverings.
  • Any outdoor seating must maintain similar distancing but in no event may the combined indoor and outdoor operation exceed 100% of its legally permitted building occupancy.
  • A per table party limit of 6 persons (10 persons if from the same household) must be maintained indoors or outdoors. 
  • The use of a bar area must be treated as a table for in-house dining with 6 feet between parties unless it is acting as a takeout area.
  • Drinking or eating by customers at Food & Beverage Venues is not permitted except when seated at a table.
  • Food & Beverage Venues must create visible floor markings for appropriate 6-foot distancing for each party in any waiting areas, whether exterior or interior (plexiglass or other partitions do not substitute for 6-foot physical distancing requirement).
  • Hands-free sanitizer must be available at the entrance of Food & Beverage Venues and the front door must be operated using a self-opening mechanism or wipes/paper towels must be available to customers at the door for individual use along with trash receptacle.
  • All menus must be disposable and single-use, or the menu can be provided on a web page/QR code that the customer can view on a personal device.
  • Tables and chairs must be sanitized mechanically, using an EPA approved disinfectant that is safe for the furniture, after each party’s use or every 60 minutes.
  • Distinct areas must be created for customer waiting, order pickup/take out and any third-party delivery services.
  • Food & Beverage Venues must introduce plexiglass barriers at tills and counters as an additional level of protection for staff.
  • Glove use is to be reserved to staff involved in direct food and/or beverage preparations and must be changed frequently, at least every 30 minutes or when changing tasks.
  • Food & Beverage Venues must facilitate easy hand cleaning with soap and water between tables by servers and other staff. All Food & Beverage Venues must employ some form of in-dining room handwashing station method that allows staff to wash their hands before and after coming into physical contact with table contents. Hand sanitizers can be used as an additional measure but should not replace hand washing.
  • All personnel must be provided training in the operating protocols and modifications to existing Orders pertaining to COVID-19 issues including the general guidelines required in the New Normal Guidelines.
  • Music or entertainment at all Food & Beverage Venues shall be eliminated or set at a decibel level below that of normal conversation. 
  • Entertainers must maintain a distance of at least 10 feet from customers and other individuals including staff when performing.