Lexington Bar Speaks Out

Lexington bar speaks out after video shows a large crowd

A lexington bar is being criticized by some after a video posted to twitter from over the weekend shows a large crowd in the business...not social distancing.

That includes kentucky's state public health commissioner dr. steven stack... who today used video from the bar ... saying it was an example of how large gatherings like it are capable of quote: "spreading the coronavirus like wildfire."

The owner of the paddock on south limestone is defending his bar.

Abc 36's christy bollinger has the video and reaction.

Trt: 1:46 take vo:this is the video posted to twitter of the paddock on its opening day friday...the caption with it... "i guess lexington just stayed inside for 10 weeks for the paddock bars to do this."

Take sot: :10 "were you at capacity in the video?

No.

We've never been over-capacity all week, in fact, we've closed a couple hours early.

We haven't even stayed open till 2:30 don't want to press our luck."

Take vo:people responded to the video online..

One saying "god help us all.

I guess that's another three months my old people will have to stay home.

I sure hope no one dies".

Owner erick ostrander says capacity is around 40 people inside... and about 80 outside.

The bar has staff at the door using a clicker to count each time someone steps in, or out.

Take sot: :13 "it's not our intention in any way shape or form to get anybody sick or stress out any government agency or, or anything like that but, people have been cooped up for 10 weeks, and they want to see each other."

Take vo: but according to the video...not everyone is doing it responsibly.

Take sot: :10 "when you get blasted online, it doesn't feel great, because you're just like, we're just trying to be fun.

And, you know we're not making anybody come here."

But they did come...in numbers once the bar was allowed to reopen after getting a permit to sell food.

Take sot: :10 "what you don't see on the video is like a shutting down early, us kicking those people out.

It does look bad when there's 40 people at once, but you don't see us panicking to fix it.."

Take vo: the bar got a visit from the health department... which says the business agreed to discourage congregating at the bar..

And to make sure social distancing is practiced.

Take sot: :06 "we care about more than comfortability and safety, and staying open for the long run than making a quick buck."

Take vo: they say it's a difficult time..

Navigating as a business... as the public tries to adapt to this 'new normal'.

And, the health department will be watching to make sure all the new normal guidelines in the paddock are met.

In lexington, christy bollinger, abc 36 news.