'It feels normal again': Wild fans out, masks off, as Minnesota lifts COVID restrictions

Beers in hand, Wild fans packed a downtown St. Paul bar Friday night, talking loudly and laughing large, their wide smiles fully visible without the face masks they've worn for the past year.

They gathered to watch Game 7 of the Stanley Cup playoffs between the Wild and the Vegas Golden Knights in Las Vegas. The Wild lost, but to many, the night out felt like a victory.

It was wonderful to see people smiling and socializing, said Robert Elizondo, who was celebrating his 35th birthday with a couple of friends at Tom Reid's Hockey City Pub.

"It feels like normal again," he said, adding that all three of them were fully vaccinated.

On Friday, Minnesota lifted nearly all COVID-19 restrictions, including capacity limitations for indoor spaces. The only restrictions that remain are those implemented by local municipalities.

Tom Reid's, which had been abiding by social distancing guidelines and capacity limits set by the state and city, completely opened up Friday, knowing well that hordes of long-cooped-up fans would stream in.

By the start of the game, there were no chairs to spare, with many people standing to watch the game, many of them wearing Wild jerseys.

In response to the state's full reopening, staff at the bar, a mecca for Wild fans, brought out all the tables and chairs that had been placed in storage to comply with previous social distancing guidelines. By the time fans poured in, the space looked as it had before the pandemic.

The restaurant does not require its staff to be vaccinated, but general manager Kathy Gosiger said most are. Those working were also required to take a temperature check before work and to wear face masks.

"We knew we would be busy," she said as the game got underway. "It's going to get loud."

Indeed, the commotion could be heard from down the street, sometimes with cheering and groaning occurring in unison.

The bar was full, as were the tables in each of the establishment's three rooms and patio area.

Everyone was excited to see the game without COVID-19 restrictions hanging overhead, said server Jill Mankus. Some patrons were confused early on about whether they needed to abide by social distancing rules and if they should be wearing a face mask inside, she said, but that was quickly cleared up.

"It feels really good," Mankus said. "It feels like COVID-19 is done."

Down the street, other bars were also busy. People crowded the sidewalk outside Truck Park, which brimmed with hundreds inside. The smells of booze and cigarettes wafted through the air.

Not a face mask in sight.

Back at Tom Reid's, a group of health care workers said they weren't nervous about the lack of mask-wearing at the restaurant.

"It feels more regular … and it feels so good seeing people come in and doing what they want to do," said Sarah Henning.

Steven Balenger, who was out celebrating his retirement from United Hospital in St. Paul, said he wasn't concerned that social distancing laws have been lifted. He noted that the number of vaccinations in the state has been increasing.

"The mandate is over," he said.

Despair fell upon the bar toward the end of the game, as it became apparent the Wild was not going to win.

As the bar started emptying before the end of the game, huddled groups of people started talking to one another more than watching. Some made plans to meet up at other bars.

But a few die-hard fans stayed to the end, yelling, "Let's go!"

The Wild never came back, but for Minnesotans weary of a long year of isolation, the night was a solid win.

Alex Chhith • 612-673-4759