Entertainment Venues in Miami-Dade Reopen Friday, Must Follow COVID Guidelines

Several types of entertainment venues were allowed to reopen ahead of schedule in Miami-Dade County Friday following an order from Mayor Carlos Gimenez.

Movie theaters, concert houses, convention spaces, auditoriums, playhouses, bowling alleys, arcades and indoor amusement facilities were allowed to open at 50% capacity.

Gimenez said that all venues must continue to follow coronavirus public health guidelines outlined in the county's New Normal Guidebook. They include mandatory face coverings and six feet of social distancing.

Additionally, indoor consumption of food and drinks should only be allowed in certain designated areas in all of the facilities.

Live performances will be permitted, but performers must be at least 10 feet away from patrons at all times, and audience members must stay seated during shows.

"The administration will be meeting next week with owners of bars and adult entertainment establishments, along with the County’s medical experts, to determine the rules to safely open these facilities in the future," a news release from Gimenez's office said.

The glamour, glitz, and heart-pumping music are once again taking center stage at the Palace car on Ocean Drive. Drag shows are back, meaning steady work for performers.

Six months of no live performances at a venue known for live shows nearly crippled the business.

“We were just at the last end to where we might have had to close for good,” said owner Thomas Donall.

At Bird Bowl Bowling Center, manager Suzy Coile said there was plenty to do to get ready to open.

"We had to make sure all of the Lanes were re-oiled today, all 60 lanes, we have been running them all through the time we have been closed to make sure that they don’t get hung up," Coile said Friday.

The bowling alley social distancing measures mean every other lane, 30 out of 60, will be used.