Popular Bar Applies for Church Status to Avoid COVID Lockdown Rules

The COVID-19 pandemic arrived on the world’s stage swiftly and unceremoniously, throwing our “normal” way of life to the wind, and leaving us scrambling to pick up the pieces.

This has also forced a number of officials of varying authority to attempt to patch together some sort of response to the virus, in which they hope to prevent any unnecessary spreading of COVID-19.  Of course, given the novelty of the virus, and the need to keep the world’s economy moving, this patchwork of rules and regulations has been spotty and strange.

For instance, a Colorado Congresswoman-elect was only allowed to have 10 guests over for Thanksgiving.  After seeing that the COVID rules allowed thirty people to attend a funeral, the Rep-elect decided to hold a ceremony for their dearly-departed turkey. 

Now, in the UK, a popular tequila bar is hoping to become a church in order to avoid similarly-infuriating issues. 

A tequila bar owner is trying to get around the UK’s strict coronavirus restrictions by adding some holy to his spirits — and registering as a church.

James Aspell, 34, posted photos of his formal application to make his shuttered “400 Rabbits Tequila and Mezcal Cocktail Bar” in Nottingham an official place of meeting for religious worship.

He was also shown smiling and giving the thumbs-up while mailing the form for the now-reverentially named Church of the Four Hundred Rabbits.

To get approved, he needs people to sign up and say they are part of his congregation — telling Nottinghamshire Live that they can register as a “bunny believer” or “reverend of the righteous rabbits.”

“With places of worship allowed to open in all tiers we thought f–k it let’s start a religion!” he explained on Facebook to his new congregation, who would otherwise be barred under the UK’s strict lockdown rules, which would only allow him to serve takeout if he sold food.

The owner would go on to play up the change, stating that the hours of “congregation” would be “daily until late”.