With outdoor dining reopening on Monday in England, I bring you breaking news updates tonight from The Kentish Belle, one of the first pubs patrons can order a drink at 12:01am in greater London. Here we are at T-15 min before opening ....with the selection on offer

It’s chilly tonight and police will be coming by to make the everybody is abiding by restrictions. “Why am I here I should be in bed!” Nicholas Hair, the owner joked

Ladies and gentleman, there it is, the most popular pint of beer I’ve ever seen

There is a countdown to EXACTLY 12:01 and everyone eagerly takes their seats

The first beers don’t last very long. One man came in his dressing gown

“I don’t think Ryan needs any more drinks”

“The whole point is that it’s an escape from what you normally do,” said Peter Kelly, 55. “I’ve walked around the park 5000 times. “Priceless,” said his friend Mal

And that’s a wrap on night 1 of Englands’s major reopening of the economy. No pint for me as take away isn’t allowed under existing rules ... there’s always tomorrow

Last night’s festivities kicking off our live briefing today as outdoor dining, salons, hairdressers and retail reopens. Follow along as we capture the day https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/04/12/world/britain-lockdown-reopening-virus