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I work(ed) in two different pubs, and there has been quite a bit of behind-the-scenes work to get ready for re-opening. I& #39;ve seen guidance for where I work, and looked at internal guidance for another pub where I have friends on the staff. Thread...
One place I work at isn& #39;t going to open until August atg the earliest - don& #39;t expect every pub in the country to open on the 4th July. The other place isn& #39;t going to open on the 4th, but a few days later. Opening on a Saturday is a stupid idea, but it wasn& #39;t ours.
For large beer gardens, especially if there is a bar-hatch to serve that area directly, the outdoors may feel quite like it was in the before-times, apart from socially distant queueing rather than clustering at the bar. Please queue where and how you& #39;re asked to.
The indoor drinking experience is going to be very different. Bookings will be strongly preferred, with walk-ins allowed only of there is space. Don& #39;t count on that.
Groups of more than 6 will not be allowed, mingling between groups will not be allowed, moving the chairs and tables around will mot be allowed. This isn& #39;t us being twats, it& #39;s a mandatory condition of re-opening.
Either one person from the group will order at the bar, or it will be table service only (different arrangements for the different places whose plans I& #39;ve seen). All subject to change, if a system isn& #39;t working.
One thing I like about pubs, where you can wander in, buy a pint, and put your elbows on the bar to chat to other regulars or interesting randoms won& #39;t be happening. This is really regrettable, but it should be obvious why.
A lot of pubs have put up messages on their websites, twitter, or their facebook pages. Those are much better sources than this thread, so if you plan to go to a pub, see if they have done this. It may save disappointment if you& #39;re expecting food etc.
This thread is just to give an idea of how different things may be when your local re-opens.
Finally, bear in mind that the staff aren& #39;t experts on the virus, may be nervous, will be adapting to a new system, and cut us some slack if things aren& #39;t quite to your liking. They aren& #39;t quite to our liking either, but we& #39;ll do our best.
PS: Food may not be available the first day the pubs open. We& #39;ve got a lot on our hands, and pubs may decide to get the drinks side flowing and the bugs ironed out before adding another layer of complexity.
