Methuselah, Olde Heritage Tavern Close Temporarily Amid COVID-19 Concerns

*(Updated 4:35 p.m. 11/05/20)

Methuselah Bar and Lounge on North Street in Pittsfield is temporarily closing its doors amid concerns over coronavirus exposure, making the popular gathering spot the second eatery/bar to do so recently.

Methuselah had this memo posted on Instagram and its Facebook page as of early Wednesday afternoon:

Please note that due to staffs’ recent exposure to Coronavirus, as a precaution, we will be closed until we know it’s safe to get back to work," the cocktail bar said in a Facebook post on Wednesday. Stay Safe everyone!

Here is the Instagram Post:

*Methuselah owner and operator, Yuki Cohen told the Berkshire News Network that she plans to reopen when they "know without a doubt that there is no risk of transmission, possibly by the end of the week." Cohen said "we are working with a skeleton crew, and unfortunately, we all got exposed."

Earlier today (Thursday), The Berkshire Eagle reported that 'Olde Heritage Tavern' in Lenox was closing its doors for two days out of “an abundance of caution” after two local customers who dined there recently tested positive for COVID-19 the day after they had eaten there.

Olde Heritage Tavern owner, John McNinch, told the Eagle that he had made the decision to close on Thursday and Friday on his own, not at the direction of Tri-Town Health, the regional agency that serves Lee, Lenox and Stockbridge. McNinch further told the publication that he is hoping to reopen on Saturday.

The two establishments temporary closings come after Governor Charlie Baker announced new restrictions for eating establishments and other businesses on Monday due to take effect on Friday, Nov. 6th. Under those new restriction, restaurants will have to stop table service by 9:30 p.m., though they will still be able to conduct carry-out and delivery orders for food and non-alcoholic beverages after that time.

Pittsfield Mayor Linda Tyer also recently warned of an up-tick in COVID-19 cases in the city.