Problematic post promotes COVID-19 spread at North Sound bar

LYNNWOOD, Wash. — Vessel Taphouse, a North Sound bar known for its pirate decor, live music, and plenty of wine and beer, is walking the plank after it offered a discount on a social media post to guests who would attend an upcoming concert — if guests could prove they have COVID-19.

“I was appalled,” says Johnny Angel.

She and Angie Dane make up the band Atrocity Girl and were set to perform there.

“I was really, really disappointed that anybody could ever really make a post like that,” says Angel.

The band has strong ties to the Seattle area and canceling was a difficult decision.

“Performing in the Pacific Northwest is amazing,” says Dane. “We have really supportive fans since the beginning.”

But once they saw the post, they knew they had to abandon ship.

“We don’t want to play somewhere that’s representing bad practices and encouraging people to be unsafe, even if it is a joke,” says Dane.

The bar has taken the post down and manager Brad Skurlock says the employee who posted those comments made them in jest.

He says that the employee has been fired and the bar is now under new management.

Atrocity Girl isn’t ruling out a future show at the Vessel Taphouse should they be invited back, but they say a lot would have to change before they take the stage.

“Unless they can take responsibility and really apologize and enforce safety in their bar; then possibly but as of right now, definitely not,” says Angel.

To learn more about the band Atrocity Girl, you can visit their website www.atrocitygirl.com

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