Skip to content

I dined out and played blackjack this weekend — here’s what it was like in a post-lockdown world

June 09, 2020
5 min read
I dined out and played blackjack this weekend — here’s what it was like in a post-lockdown world
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.

If you're subscribed to my weekly email newsletter, you already know that I have been homebound for a little more than three months due to coronavirus concerns. This past weekend though, I took my first flight post-lockdown. I headed to Palm Springs to see some friends.

Once in town, being the curious person that I am, I decided to see what it was like to go to a casino and then enjoy a sit-down meal at a restaurant. Here's what those experiences were like.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.

My first post-lockdown casino visit

Las Vegas reopened its casinos a few days ago with some pretty big changes. In Palm Springs though, it felt as if life was almost back to normal. We decided to go to Agua Caliente casino downtown.

Here's a video about the cleaning and safety steps the brand is taking in both its Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage casinos:

Upon walking in, you have to lower your mask and show your ID to a security guard. I didn't actually notice a temperature check but one was done via a noninvasive machine. A temperature check is an easy way to see if someone has a fever and potentially COVID-19.

The casino felt normal in many respects. It felt packed even though Agua Caliente's website says they are operating at 50% capacity in the casinos to provide adequate social distancing. There was still drink service too.

Photos of Las Vegas casinos reopening showed plenty of people not wearing face masks. I had the opposite experience in Palm Springs where everyone -- gamblers and dealers -- had masks on. And, that was required by the casino. That meant you'd have to pull your mask down to take a drink and then pull the mask back up. You weren't allowed to leave your mask off for any length of time while drinking and the pit bosses strictly enforced that rule. Interestingly though, there were no partitions or dividers between the dealers and players.

On the casino floor, the slot machines, table games and high limit rooms were all open and operational. People seemed to enjoy themselves despite having to wear masks during their visit.

Sign up for our daily newsletter

Dining out

During the same trip, I ventured out to a restaurant to see what that would be like. My friends and I went to Mr. Lyons steakhouse, a Palm Springs institution. This is the first time I've experienced a temperature check at a restaurant post-lockdown.

(Photo by Brian Kelly/The Points Guy)

You need to wear a mask as you walk in and that's when they'll check your temperature. Interestingly, Mr. Lyons' website has a COVID-19 update that suggests patrons "take a few minutes to cool off in your car before entering the restaurant, as the desert heat has proven to have an effect on temperature readings."

(Photo by Brian Kelly/The Points Guy)

Once they take your temperature, they give you a QR code, which links to the menu. It's great that they don't have to give out a high-touch item like a paper menu. I personally loved the digital menu and felt it was a customer-friendly change.

At Mr. Lyons, you must wear your face mask until you sit down at your dining table, and the tables are spaced out well. If you must get up to use the restroom, you need to put your mask back on as you walk through the restaurant. Servers continually wear their face coverings.

It was pretty normal service, actually, and it was nice to be back at a restaurant. The menu was limited. I ordered a Bloody Mary since I haven't had one in forever but they didn't have it in the restaurant, which was no big deal.

(Photo by Brian Kelly/The Points Guy)

The meal was excellent -- the prime rib at Mr. Lyons is out of this world.

(Photo by Brian Kelly/The Points Guy)

Despite a limited menu and the necessity for temperature checks and face masks during part of the experience, it was overall a great experience. I think the future of dining will look similar to this and it's not so bad.

Have you gone to a casino or dined out recently? What were the safety precautions and how did it feel to get back out there? Let me know in the comments below.

Featured image by Getty Images

TPG featured card

NEW BENEFIT! TAKEOFF15!
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards

1 - 3X points
3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.

Intro offer

Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus Miles
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

Annual Fee

$250

Recommended Credit

670-850
Excellent/Good
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees
Apply for Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
3 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
2XEarn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • Intro Offer
    Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.

    Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles
    50,000 Bonus Miles
  • Annual Fee

    $250
  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
    Excellent/Good

Why We Chose It

Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.

Pros

  • Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
  • Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
  • First checked bag free

Cons

  • Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
  • SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
  • Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
  • Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
  • Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
  • New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
  • Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
  • Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
  • Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
  • Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
  • Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • $250 Annual Fee.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees