Strong Taco Night turnout propels Club toward full reopening
Nearly 100 National Press Club members and guests celebrated the return of Taco Night, a significant step toward the further reopening of the Club to in-person activities.
The June 11 event was the first time the Club’s traditional Friday evening happy hour has been held since March 13, 2020, when it was suspended due to social distancing concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.
There were 70 reservations, and about 98 people attended the Taco Night revival.
“Fellow members, welcome home!” Club President Lisa Nicole Matthews said in brief remarks to the Taco Night gathering in the Reliable Source, the Club’s bar and grill. “It is so good to see people here.”
The Club was closed to in-person activities from mid-March to mid-June of last year. The Reliable Source reopened for dining-in from mid-June until late December, when it was suspended again.
With the return of Taco Night, the Club is ramping up toward full reopening.
“After a year of Covid, I just want to say we’ve discovered that these familiar rituals that we enjoy like Friday Taco Night make real sense in our lives, and it’s good to be back at this again,” Matthews said.
She thanked Club members who have maintained their membership during the pandemic as well as Club staff, who received a standing ovation from the Taco Night audience.
Taco Night will be held each Friday in June. The Reliable Source will be open for in-person dining for lunch on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. It will be open for dinner on Fridays from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Reservations are encouraged.
After July 4, the Reliable Source will return to its regular dining hours.
During the pandemic, the Club was partially reopened to in-person services, including food takeout. Club members were required to make reservations before visiting the Club.
Following the return of Taco Night, members will not have to make reservations to enter the Club. But they and their guests must be vaccinated. Exceptions will be made for religious or medical reasons. In those situations, a negative coronavirus test within the last 48 hours is required.
Club members can register their vaccination card with Club by going to https://www.press.org/vaxpass. They should complete the form and upload a photo of their vaccination card. Their vaccination status will be recorded on their Kastle Key fob or in the Club’s mobile app.
Club members having difficulty uploading their vaccination card should contact [email protected]. Those without a key fob or mobile access should contact [email protected].
The Taco Night held on June 11 was closer to the pre-pandemic version than was first advertised. The taco buffet was set up in the kitchen, and participants could make their own tacos. Originally, the taco meat and fixings were going to be delivered to attendees by the Club wait staff.
Club member Bob Weiner said the Taco Night turnout demonstrates the Club can safely resume normal in-person activities.
“It was great to see a packed house at the Taco Night reopening of the Reliable Source," Weiner said. "I hope the fun and safe procedures persuade members to come back to the Club."
