PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Keys? Check. Wallet? Check. Vaccination card? Check.
As the delta COVID-19 variant continues to spread, some Philadelphia restaurants and venues are taking matters into their own hands. Several have said they are requiring patrons who wish to dine inside to provide proof of vaccination — either flash your card or a picture of it on your phone.
If you cannot provide your vaccine card, restaurants are likely to still serve you, just in outdoor seating.
Martha, a restaurant in Kensington, was one of the first to enact the mandate, and others have followed suit in their own ways.
Two prominent Philadelphia restaurant groups are the latest to announce, on Monday, that they will join the list.
CookNSolo, which owns Zahav, Abe Fisher and Laser Wolf, will start checking proof of vaccination at the end of August. Vetri Cucina and Fiorella, owned by chef Marc Vetri, will start doing the same thing on Sept. 7.
"Due to the physical layout and tight space indoors at Fiorella, the reconvening of our pasta classes and special events at Vetri Cucina ..., we will require all indoor diners at both restaurants to be either vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19," Vetri said in an Instagram post. He added that all the staff members at both restaurants have been fully vaccinated since March.
Vetri has been an outspoken critic of COVID-19-related restrictions on restaurants but said this decision was based on scientific guidance and made to "help reduce transmission and avoid further shutdowns."
Here’s a running list of area restaurants requiring vaccinations:
Martha
2113 E. York St.
Kensington
Sally
2229 Spruce St.
Fitler Square
Specific details are pending.
Irwin’s
800 Mifflin St.
South Philadelphia
Le Virtù
1927 East Passyunk Ave.
South Philadelphia
Musi BYOB
100 Morris St.
Pennsport
More details are pending.
Cornerstone Bistro & Artisanal Market
1 West Ave.
Wayne
Kalaya Thai Kitchen
764 S. Ninth St.
Bella Vista
Marc Vetri restaurants
Vetri Cucina
1312 Spruce St.
Center City
Fiorella Pasta Bar
817 Christian St.
Bella Vista
Starting Sept. 7, customers must prove either that they are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19.
Michael Solomonov restaurants
Zahav
237 St. James Place
Society Hill
Laser Wolf
1301 N. Howard St.
Fishtown
Abe Fisher
1623 Sansom St.
Center City
Beginning Aug. 31, all indoor dining guests will be required to show proof of full vaccination.
Dirty Frank's
347 S. 13th St.
Center City
The Barbary
951 Frankford Ave.
Fishtown
Johnny Brenda's
1201 Frankford Ave.
Fishtown
Requirements for proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be at each artist’s discretion.
McGillin’s Old Ale House
1310 Drury St.
Center City
City Winery
990 Filbert St.
Center City
All indoor guests must provide proof of vaccination or show a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours. Guests must wear masks while moving through indoor spaces. Requirements may vary by event.
Ardmore Music Hall
23 E. Lancaster Ave.
Ardmore
Masks will be required indoors when not eating or drinking. Requirements for proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be at each artist’s discretion.
Refunds are available for patrons who choose not to comply.
Union Transfer
1026 Spring Garden St.
Callowhill
Requirements for proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be at each artist’s discretion.
This list will be updated as more places announce their individual restrictions.