The Nugget Newspaper - News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon

After three long months entirely closed down due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hardtails Bar & Grill was expected to reopen this week.

Owner Steve Macey told The Nugget that the bar is planning to go ahead with their traditional summer music series of rock tribute bands, in a climate where most music events have been canceled.

“We have seven confirmed,” he told The Nugget. “Most are returning favorites from past shows: The Cars, Fleetwood Mac, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Van?Halen and a few new ones — The Police, Styx and one to be named yet.”

Macey said they were currently selling only 100 tickets to each show due to spacing restrictions, but he believes they may have the square footage to safely have 150 in the venue with required physical distancing.

“Our first live music will be July 3,” Macey said. “Free show, outdoor stage, kicking off the Independence Day weekend with a Portland band...called Nightlife. Classic rock and more.”

The show starts at 6 p.m.

The first ticketed show will be SOS — A Tribute to the Police, set for July 11, followed every Saturday night through August 29 by a different tribute band. Unchained, a Van Halen tribute band, will close out the summer series.