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So the time has come and pubs can open tomorrow - albeit under the "new normal" rules.
Who can't wait and will be going tomorrow?
I will keep my powder dry for a bit yet. I don't want my pub visit to be more like a military exercise so I will hang on and see how the dust settles.
Was thinking i would be in at 9am but queuing for toilets, etc etc - saving it for midweek instead.Quote:
Originally Posted by Delboy20
Just ranted my thoughts here
I might have a wander round the town tomorrow afternoon just to see what's occurring, might have a pint or three if it looks OK.
Just driven past The Flying Horse. Serried regimented ranks of benches in the car park.Think I'll give it a miss, thanks.
I will be attempting this crawl:Quote:
Originally Posted by Delboy20
Tapping the Admiral
The Grafton
The Bull & Gate
The Pineapple
The Junction Tavern
The Dartmouth Arms
Southampton Arms
I'll probably have to check out the websites to make sure they are actually opening, otherwise I might have to settle for The Prince Alfred, where I had my last drink. Realistically though, I expect that if a person doesn't arrive to be in the first or second capacity wave of customers, I suspect that they won't get in. Unlike supermarkets where people are in and out in around 15 minutes, pub-goers will probably be spending a large part of the day - or all evening - knocking it back. This will be a first time in the pub for a very large number of postulants, which will probably amplify demand even further; at least it seems that many pubs won't be serving food. Another problem I envisage, is that presumably it will be one in/one out, so how couples - let alone groups - will get in, is anyone's guess...
That's a cracking crawl that I've done more than once, not sure what the experience will be like in these strange times.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tris39
I've copied the above from the other thread for ease of reference.Quote:
Originally Posted by oldboots
I won't be going to the pub on Saturday, but I'm going to try the Gardeners Rest on Sunday. They're opening this weekend for shareholders only (plus family and close friends), then using the lessons learned to make any necessary adjustments before re-opening on Wednesday to the general public. Luckily I'm a shareholder, so I reckon it needs to be done.Quote:
Originally Posted by oldboots
It's your civic duty!Quote:
Originally Posted by sheffield hatter
Pubs aren’t open
https://youtu.be/d5hZ7I8u5vw
I'm keeping a watching brief for now. I can't envisage an enjoyable experience in the circumstances, and I guess the beer choice will be much reduced.
Has anyone been yet?
Attachment 2456 first in a pub since 22nd March
Just got back from the Gardeners Rest. Only three cask ales on, and two of them "blonde" or "gold", which is code for bland in my book, but the third was Empire West Coast Pale 4.3%, which could have been awful, but turned out to have a nice bitter finish and I had three pints. It's good to be back.
On checking times, it appears I drank three pints in a little short of three hours, but that must be quite a bit quicker than I've been drinking at home, as I'm not used to feeling quite this pissed (and that includes what I consumed yesterday - for anaesthetic purposes - during & after Luton Town's shocking performance against Reading, if performance is the right word).
I passed 24 pubs in total yesterday and only 10 were open. As per my intended watering holes (#6 above) only the Pineapple and Dartmouth Arms were open without prior arrangement. The Pineapple was essentially business as usual except with an obligatory squeeze of gloopy vodka to the hands on entry, thereafter social engineering had in effect been abandoned apart from table service for seated-only drinkers. All six pumps working but without specs I couldn't read them, so plumped for a pint of Ghost Ship. And at 8.48 it was one small sip for a man, one giant swig for mankind. Served in perfect condition and in an excellent pub, now that it was free from fizzed-up hen parties. The Junction Tavern was open but only by prior booking, which probably explained why it was empty. The Dartmouth Arms has changed hands, marginally for the worse, with only one of the six pumps working, an excellent pint of Five Points XPA. Again, no real social engineering apart from table service for the seated-only. No-one at either pub was dressed like riot police and no-one pointed a Taser at my head; no silly line markings or instructions either and no queues to get into either pub. All in, mission accomplished, the only problem was the very early closing, 9.00 and 10.00 respectively.
Yesterday afternoon I passed 13 pubs, 5 were closed including one where the lease has expired and won't reopen any time soon anyway, one other closed one I was told about and didn't check. The other 9 were open with varying degrees of fullness and "bouncers" on the door to ensure social distancing and entry. A few of the 5 will open on Monday or Wednesday apparently according to rumour. Distancing seems to be a big thing and both pubs I entered were table service but allowed walk-ins, the spoons was allowing bar service as well, contact tracing was not top of their list :eek:
My experience at both pubs too. Despite bringing my driving licence for proof of ID and address, there was absolutely no - pointless, imho - contact tracing.Quote:
Originally Posted by oldboots
Went to the Express Brentford yesterday. All tables pre booked so about 150 people already there at 4.00pm.Right hand bar reserved for locals.(me).No restrictions on toilets,no details taken for contract tracing.Social distancing kept but lots of tables with 8 people from different households but young Londoners have been ignoring the rules for weeks.
Had 6 pints of very good cask and started with a good pint of fresh Harveys -sussex.
After 106 days off I had four pts yesterday tween two pubs and three pts today one in each of three pubs. So five pubs in total.
Only one case of name etc being demanded was back street boozer, the very first visited. Reports from after I left was that it all went to hell in a handcart by 8pm and landlady threw everyone out.
Second pub was mayhem with no cooperation from the punters to the stressed manager.
First today was afternoon time, everyone in pub was hammered, one barmaid with a throng, was like place had never shut, no following any guidelines at all, all standing round.
Second, ditto, jukebox so loud to be rattling the pub windows out, landlady behind the bar singing hotel california.
Third, a McSpoons, no meet and greet although it seemed there should have been, app showing drinks out of stock but they had them, contact tracing slips on tables but no pressure to fill them in, manager type in mask wouldn't lend a woman his pen "It's my only one and they don't provide them(!!!)", again pissed people staggering around "I LOVE YOU/MISSED YOU SO MUCH" etc. On departure unattended track and trace slip box by door ready to be stolen with people's details. Oh and they're advertising a beer festival in March.
Attachment 2463
Attachment 2464