A Message from the Food & Beverage Team: Morning Café Service is Moving to Espresso Bar + Members’ Lounge Update

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Hello Everyone, – a long and detailed message from the Food & Beverage Team – please see below:

With the Espresso Bar reopening in the Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Sculpture Atrium and the Members’ Lounge set to reopen soon on Wednesday, May 24, the F&B team is sharing with staff more details about these exciting changes.

Read on for how you can enjoy your morning coffee at the Espresso Bar and what our Members can expect in the Lounge!

What’s happening?

  • Beginning Tuesday, May 16, morning café service will move from the AGO Bistro to the Espresso Bar. 
  • From 10:30 am to 11:30 am daily, staff, volunteers, and visitors can purchase beverages and pastries only from the Espresso Bar in the Atrium.
  • Staff can only receive take-out service during this time window. Please bring a clean, reusable to-go mug.
  • After 11:30 am, staff and volunteers can still purchase hot beverages, and items from the Bistro à la carte menu. Pastries will only available at the Espresso Bar.

Café Service in the Espresso Bar – As of Tuesday, May 16 from 10:30 am to 11:30 am (continuing daily)

What are the details?

  • Beverages and pastries will be plated to be enjoyed while seated in the Atrium. Disposable packaging will only be provided for to-go pastries.

Why move café service to the Espresso Bar?

  • The Atrium provides a better-suited café environment.
  • It creates a lively space in the Atrium that will encourage visitors to stop and take their own coffee breaks.
  • It provides Members with a food option before daily Lounge service at 11:30 am.
  • It allows the Bistro staff to focus on lunch and dinner service.

The Norma Ridley Members’ Lounge Update – Reopening Wednesday, May 24

What are the details?

  • The Members’ Lounge operates on a “first come, first serve” basis – no reservation required.
  • Members can bring a guest into the Lounge. Members with guest privileges do not require general admission tickets, but additional guests do.
  • As of reopening, Afternoon Tea will not be returning to the Members’ Lounge.
  • The only coat check available to Members remains by the main entrance to the Gallery.
  • Staff and volunteers are required to have memberships in order to use the Lounge
  • The Lounge has a limited, 50 person capacity.
  • For more detailed information, read the full Members’ FAQ on the AGO website here.

Members’ Lounge Hours

  • General hours are as follows:
    • Tuesday and Thursday: 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
    • Wednesday and Friday: 10:30 am – 8:30 pm
    • Saturday and Sunday: 10:30 am – 5 pm
  • Food service hours are as follows:
    • Wednesday- Thursday & Saturday – Sunday: 11:30 am – 4:30 pm
    • Friday: 11:30 am – 7 pm

Questions?