The patios and decks opened just as residents were champing at the bit to get outside.

When Lackawanna and surrounding counties entered the yellow phase, outdoor dining was permitted after two and a half months of waiting thanks to the threat of COVID-19 spreading.

Thomas Tell Jr., owner of Thirst T’s Bar & Grill at 120 Lincoln St., Olyphant, was ready for customers to enter after weeks of hard work.

Earlier this year, Tell watched as other countries began to suffer from the effects of the coronavirus and closed up his bar days before Gov. Tom Wolf shut down restaurants across the state. It stayed closed for two weeks before opening for takeout and curbside pickup only.

Thanks to his former career in politics, Tell worked to get the legislation ready for the “cocktails-to-go” bill that would help bring much-needed revenue to dozens of local businesses. After it was passed and after officials announced Lackawanna County would move into the yellow phase, Tell and his staff got to work to get the patio ready for customers and in line with the state’s guidelines, which came with its own set of challenges.

Normally, Thirst T’s patio can hold 130 people, but within these new guidelines and even with a temporary extension into the parking lot, there’s only room for 80. Still, Tell makes the best of the situation by adding live music and food and drink specials. Though they aren’t required, Thirst T’s will use paper menus, plastic cups and utensils to keep everyone safe. Employees are screened each day, and Tell, like many other business owners, also enforces customers wearing masks when they arrive, leave and whenever they get up from their table.

While some businesses “can get away with saying the mask is optional,” he said, “the state holds our licenses. We could get shut down if these guidelines aren’t being followed.”

Tell said he and his staff are taking it one day at a time and make sure to follow everything to the letter so “coronavirus doesn’t come anywhere near Thirst T’s.”

“I want (customers and staff) to know they’re safe here,” he said.

Check out some other places around the area where you can dine al fresco. Hours may vary transitioning from the yellow to green phase.

Lackawanna County

Abiocco, Clarks Summit

Alfredo’s Cafe, Scranton 

Alter House, Clarks Summit

Andy Gavin’s, Scranton 

AV, Scranton

Backyard Ale House, Scranton

The Bar and Co., Olyphant

Bar Pazzo, Scranton 

Benny’s, Peckville 

Camelot Restaurant and Inn, Clarks Summit 

Carabello, Dunmore

The Club at the Highlands, Archbald

Coopers Seafood House, Scranton

Crotti’s on Ash, Scranton

Cusumano, Old Forge 

Dino and Francesco’s Pizza, Clarks Summit

Dooley’s, Old Forge

Fireside Martini Grill, Dunmore 

Frank’s Place, Simpson 

Happy Valley Sports Bar, Dickson City

Henry’s on Clay, Dunmore 

Joseph’s Restaurant, Peckville 

KOL Steakhouse, Carbondale

La Cucina, Dunmore

Legend’s Saloon, Dickson City 

Maiolatesi Wine Cellars, Olyphant 

Marzoni’s Brick Oven and Brewery, Moosic 

Morgan’Z Pub and Eatery, Scranton

Nonno’s Pizza and Family Restaurant, Moosic 

The New Cafe at Greystone Gardens, Clarks Summit

Nosh, Dickson City

The NYX, Clarks Summit

Oliveri’s Crystal Lake Hotel, Carbondale

Peculiar Slurp, Scranton 

Pine Hills Country Club, Taylor

Russell’s Restaurant, Scranton

State Street Grill, Clarks Summit

Talerico’s Tropical Winery, Taylor

Thirst T’s Bar and Grill, Olyphant

Waldo’s Tavern, Scranton

Windsor Inn, Jermyn

Y-Knot Pub and Eatery, Elmhurst Twp.

Luzerne County

Adelina’s Restaurant and Pizzeria, Mountain Top 

American Grill, Exeter

Arena Bar and Grill, Wilkes-Barre

Arturo’s Restaurant and Bar, Dupont

Beaumont Inn, Dallas

Benny Brewing Co., Wilkes-Barre

Breaker Brewing Co., Wilkes-Barre 

Budd’s Pizza Cafe and Sports Hub, Kingston 

Butcher Bob’s BBQ, Mountain Top

Canteen 900, Kingston

Charlie B’s Pub and Eatery, Plains Twp. 

Checkerboard Inn, Trucksville 

CK’s Authentic Mexican Food, Dallas

Cork Bar and Restaurant, Wilkes-Barre

Crabby’s Seafood Grill and Pipes Bar, Dallas

Damien’s on the Lake, Harveys Lake

Dugan’s Pub, Luzerne 

Four Blooms Restaurant, Drums

Franklin’s, Wilkes-Barre

Grotto Pizza, Harveys Lake 

La Tolteca, Wilkes-Barre

Leggio’s, Plains Twp. 

Keeley’s Alehouse and Grille, Kingston 

Kelsey’s Restaurant, Ashley

Napoli’s Pizza, Pittston 

Kings Restaurant, Mountain Top 

The Red Mill, Pittston

River Grille, Plains Twp.

Rodano’s, Wilkes-Barre

Sabatini’s Bottleshop and Bar, Exeter 

Screwy Moose Saloon, Larksville

Tomato Bar, Pittston

Top of the 80’s, Hazle Twp.

III Guys Restaurant and Sports Bar, Edwardsville 

Uncle Buck’s BBQ, Plymouth

Streamside Bandstand at Woodlands Inn, Plains Twp. 

 

Monroe County

Burke’s Tavern, Mount Pocono

Sarah Street Bar and Grill, Stroudsburg

Pike County

The Inn at Lackawaxen, Lackawaxen

Silver Birches, Hawley

Susquehanna County

Speakeasy Saloon and Resort, Union Dale

Wyoming County

Ardee’s Fooddrinkery, Falls Twp.

DeLeo’s Bar and Grill, Dalton 

Lake Sheridan Bar and Grill, Nicholson

Stonehedge Golf Club, Tunkhannock