Staff photo by Clay Schuldt Rodney’s Tavern reopened for business Friday afternoon with a fresh look. Rodney’s owner Rod Zimmer got the kitchen ready for the first day back in business.

NEW ULM — Rodney’s Tavern joined the list of New Ulm bars and restaurants reopening. The South Minnesota Street Bar reopened at 3 p.m. Friday. Owner Rodney Zimmer said they were able to fill half the seats at the bar right out of the gate.

Zimmer was in the kitchen preparing food for the first night back in three months. The current goal is to get the bar back to normal

“Somehow I forgot more than I originally knew,” Zimmer said, but he is excited to be open again and excited to show off the bar.

Zimmer took advantage of the shutdown to have light maintenance done on the bar. The carpet was replaced. A new coat of paint was added to the wall. The wainscoting was redone and new barstools added.

The kitchen is operating but on a slimmed-down menu. Zimmer said the pandemic made it difficult to get certain items wholesale and it is unknown which items will be available in the future.

Rodney’s new hours are 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday; 3 p.m. to 12 a.m. Wednesday and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Sunday hours are still to be determined.