UK Tequila Bar Applies to Become Church to Avoid COVID-19 Restrictions

With the UK in a second lockdown, bars and restaurants in England are once again forced to close up shop to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. And despite the fact that this is being done in the interest of public health, some are none too pleased about it. As the New York Post points out, one bar owner in Nottingham is attempting to skirt the new restrictions by registering his establishment as a church.

James Aspell, owner of the 400 Rabbits Tequila and Mezcal Cocktail Bar, posted photos of himself mailing the application to officially become the Church of the Four Hundred Rabbits and giving a thumbs-up.

“With places of worship allowed to open in all tiers we thought f–k it let’s start a religion!” he wrote on Facebook. “Can’t be that hard can it! Congregation daily till late.”

In order to get approved, he’ll need people to sign up and say they’re part of his congregation. Aspell told a local news outlet that those who are looking to help him out can register and say they’re a “bunny believer” or “reverend of the righteous rabbits.”

And while, from an outsider’s perspective at least, it sure looks like a tongue-in-cheek way to avoid adhering to COVID-19 guidelines, Aspell claimed that’s not the case. “We’re not doing this to offend anybody or break any rules,” he said.

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Bonnie Stiernberg

Bonnie Stiernberg is InsideHook’s Managing Editor. She was Music Editor at Paste Magazine for seven years, and she has written about music and pop culture for Rolling Stone, Glamour, Billboard, Vice and more.