Starkville bars battle through the pandemic

Bars in Starkville struggle to continue finding business amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

Coronavirus hit many businesses hard during the pandemic.

In many places...health guidelines put a target on bars which has impacted their revenue.

Wtva's rhea thornton is in starkville.

She spoke with one bar owner who is working through the virus.

I'm in the cotton district in starkville where normally the street feels alive with people packed in the bars and music blaring from inside... but this year, the night life has seen some changes... "there's just not a lot of people out anymore and usually in football season you can't get people off the streets here."

Eulalio mendoza is manager of drifters bar and grill.

He says times have been tough... eulalio mendoza - manager at drifters bar and grill "the money that was here a year ago is not even remotely close to what it is now, so everyone has been suffering a little bit."

When mississippi governor tate reeves opened up more eulalio mendoza - manager at drifters bar and grill "the money that was here a year ago is not even remotely close to what it is now, so everyone has been suffering a little bit."

When mississippi governor tate reeves opened up more businesses, drifters slowly saw its customers returning to the bar... but patrons must follow new guidelines to receive a drink.

Eulalio mendoza: "you're not allowed to order a drink without the mask on.

Once you get the mask, um, once you get your drink, you have to sit down."

Although more people enter drifters each day, mendoza says the atmosphere will not be the same this saturday... "in the cotton district it's a lot different because usually it's completely packed on game days and you know it's what you want to see in a college town.

Not being able to see that really puts a damper on football season."

Mendoza says its important to keep bars like his open because it can be an escape for those struggling through the pandemic.

Reporting live in starkville, rhea thornton wtva 9 news.

Still ahead on wtva nine news at ten,